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Contact
Address
903 Tenth Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 311 locally or (505) 768-2000
Fax: (505) 764-6281
Email: biopark@cabq.gov
Smoking is prohibited on all BioPark property.
Albuquerque BioPark Volunteer Program
The volunteers of Albuquerque Biological Park Education make many programs at the BioPark possible. Education could not carry out its mission of teaching about life and encouraging conservation without the generous work of volunteers.
No specialized knowledge is necessary to become a volunteer. BioPark staff will teach you everything you need to know in the training sessions. We ask that you bring your enthusiasm, a commitment to conservation, a sense of responsibility and patience. Experienced volunteers and staff are available to assist you after training, and monthly volunteer meetings keep you up-to-date.
Benefits vary with positions, but generally include free admission to all BioPark facilities (the Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Garden) during regular daytime hours and discounts at the food and gift concessions.
Ages 14 and up: BioPark Nature Guides - summer position |
Ages 16 and up: Conservation Camp Counselor - summer position |
Ages 18 and up:
BioPark Nature Guides - Summer Position
BioPark Nature Guides staff our summer discovery areas at the zoo, aquarium, and botanic garden. Adults can serve as Nature Guide Captains. Shark teeth, porcupine quills, and secret plant smells are just a few of the interesting items used to excite visitors about nature.
Age requirement: 14 and up
Minimum time commitment: One three-hour shift per week
Training dates: June 2 and 3, 9:30am-3:30pm both days OR June 27, 9:30am-3:30pm
Job Description for BioPark Nature Guides 
Conservation Camp Counselors - Summer Position
Conservation Camp Counselors are paired with a lead teacher and assist them with the daily operation of a Camp BioPark class at the zoo, aquarium or garden. Teens who are able to commit to at least two full weeks of the summer assisting with camp will love this job!
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: Two full weeks (Monday through Friday)
Training dates: June 4, 9:30am-12noon
Job Description for Conservation Camp Counselors
Greeters
Greeting Team members act as hosts and hostesses for BioPark visitors. They help explain what visitors can expect to see, help them plan their visit, answer questions and provide friendly customer service. Greeters also help orient school groups. Greeters may choose to train and work at the Zoo or at the Aquarium/Botanic Garden.
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training dates:
Aquarium/Garden Greeters - June 17, 9:30am-1:00pm
Zoo Greeters -June 19, 9:30am-1:00pm
Job Description for Aquarium/Garden Greeters
Job Description for Zoo Greeters
Horticulture Volunteers
Horticulture Volunteers assist the BioPark horticulture staff with routine garden maintenance and special plant projects. Teens (age 16 or older) and adults can work on weekdays at the botanic garden, zoo or in the greenhouses. No gardening experience necessary! This is a great way to increase your plant knowledge and practical gardening skills. For more information, please call (505) 764-6245.
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training dates: Wednesday, May 21 or June 18, 9:30am-12noon
Job Description for Horticulture Volunteers
High School Internship
The BioPark Education Internship program is designed to give teens the opportunity to teach visitors about nature while getting practical work experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Duties may include assisting with educational classes, helping generate new teaching props, setting up and breaking down equipment for workshops, researching information about new species, creating and distributing flyers about upcoming programs and general office work. If you are interested in applying for a BioPark Education Internship, please contact us at 764-6245.
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: Six hours per week.
Docent (Volunteer Teacher)
Docents undergo a rigorous science-based training. The training includes lectures, fieldwork, reading, a group project and a final exam. Training occurs each fall on either Thursdays or Saturdays. Docents give 60 hours or more to the BioPark each year.
Volunteer Orientation: Saturday, August 9, 2008
Location: Colores Ed. Building at the Zoo
Time: 11:00 am
After graduating, docents may choose one of many different volunteer roles at the Zoo or Aquarium. They can interact with visitors on grounds through tours, talks and discovery stations.
(There will not be training for Botanic Garden docents in 2008; please call for more information about volunteering at the Botanic Garden).
There are also many specialty programs, including the following:
- Zoo-To-You Van – visits all of NM with Zoo animals and lessons
- Ocean Tank Narration – gives information about daily fish feeding in shark tank
- Alpaca and llama walking – gives Zoo visitors a chance to come into close contact with live animals.
- Tingley Guides – after a special training, docents are able to work at Tingley Beach and in the adjacent bosque giving tours, interacting with visitors and teaching discovery stations.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training dates: Twelve Saturdays from August 2008-January 2009. Dates are not concurrent; please see the job description or contact us at 764-6245 for details.
Job Description for Volunteer Teachers
Aquarium Touchpoolers
Touchpool Volunteers teach about marine invertebrates and guide visitors with gentle touching of live invertebrates at the Touchpool in the Albuquerque Aquarium. The Touchpool is the only exhibit in the Aquarium that allows contact with animals and is extremely popular with visitors.
Age requirement: 16 and up
(Touchpoolers under age 18 must work with an
adult volunteer or staff person at all times.)
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training date: Saturday, May 31, 9:30am-3:30pm
Job Description for Touchpoolers
Tingley Beach Fishing Guide
Fishing Guides instill a sense of appreciation and respect for wildlife and the outdoors at Tingley Beach. They teach various fishing techniques, fishing etiquette and fish ecology, as well as provide general information about Tingley Beach and New Mexico's fishing rules and regulations.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training date: Thursday, May 22, 9:30am-3:30pm
Job Description for Fishing Guides
Heritage Farm Guides
Heritage Farm Guides help visitors step back in history at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden’s Heritage Farm exhibit. The farm is representative of the 1920s and 1930s. Dressed in period costume, Farm Guides share information with visitors about agriculture, farm animals, daily farm life and traditions of the Rio Grande Valley.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year.
Training date: Saturday, June 14, 9:30am-3:30pm
Job Description for Heritage Farm Guides
BioVan Rangers
BioVan Rangers support the BioVan program by helping teach about the Rio Grande at schools and special events in the Albuquerque area. Rangers may also assist with the tours and activities in the Rio Grande bosque on Fridays with the Rio Rangers.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year.
Training Date: August 2008. Date and times to be announced. The BioVan Ranger job description will be posted in August. For more information, please call (505) 764-6245.
Railroad Garden Volunteers
Railroad Garden Volunteers operate and maintain the G-scale model train at the Botanic Garden and answer the public’s questions about the various trains in operation. Children and adults love this miniature railroad and Railroad Garden Volunteers help to enhance their experience.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year.
Training date: Friday, June 13, 9:30am-12noon
Job Description for Railroad Garden Volunteers
Aquarium Narrator
Aquarium Narrator volunteers host scheduled feedings at specified locations in the
Aquarium. Aquarium staff feed the animals while Aquarium Narrators teach visitors
about the animals being fed and the day's menu!
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year.
Training Dates: To be announced.
Job Description for Aquarium Narrator
Volunteer Applications
Ready to sign up to be a BioPark Volunteer? Great! Simply download, print and fill out the appropriate application below. You can mail it to the address included on the application or bring it with you to training.
Please contact BioPark Education at (505) 764-6245 or biopark@cabq.gov to request an application by mail, sign up for a training date, or ask additional questions.
Application for Teens (ages 14-18)