Lina Nissley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away”
- William Shakespeare
To volunteer, or “give away your gift” is an act that connects you to others, yourself, your community and even to your own career. In Jefferson County, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities, and this new weekly series will spotlight some of the ways that locals can get involved and share their gifts with those around them.
Are you looking for a place to volunteer?
The North Florida Wildlife Center (NFWC), which is located in Jefferson County, is a non-profit conservation center that is almost entirely volunteer-run.
The organization is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and educating the public about wild and endangered species from around the world.
Among the rare species that the organization is committed to conserving are lemurs, fish, reptiles, and most recently, an albino dwarf kangaroo named Mungi. To be able to support the endangered and exotic animals that live at the center, the NFWC relies on income that is generated through facility tours and donations from visitors.
Volunteers at the NFWC will need to commit to a minimum of 12 to 16 hours per week.
For volunteers, the hours at NFWC are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a lunch break between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
The general age of volunteers is 18 and up, as volunteers who assist with animal care must be at least 18. However, the center does allow high school students to volunteer and has plenty of jobs with groundskeeping, cleaning and other tasks that high schoolers can take part in. These volunteers under 18 can expect to occasionally have the opportunity to interact with the animals, just not on a regular basis.
Volunteers are also needed on an occasional basis to help the center with constructing animal enclosures, laying cement for closures, trimming trees and general groundskeeping. Construction is an especially great need as of recently, since the NFWC is in the process of expanding.
Volunteering at the center isn't just about working and cleaning, as volunteers may also be asked to help give visitors tours around the facility.
Community service hours are tracked for volunteers, whether in high school or college, and college students can earn up to four academic credits by volunteering at NFWC.
No prior experience is required to volunteer with the NFWC, however, a background with animals is definitely preferred when it comes to those who are seeking to help with animal care.
An interviewing process will determine what tasks are best suited for the volunteer, and the training process will also help prepare them for their tasks.
For students who are studying for degrees in Environmental Science or Zoology, or those who want to work with animals as a career, volunteering with the NFWC is a great opportunity that can provide experience to place on their resume.
For more information about the center and its current volunteer needs, visit the North Florida Wildlife Center Facebook page and leave a message. Potential volunteers who would like to send a copy of their resume can also send an email to nfwctally@gmail.com.
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