Are you fascinated by reptiles and looking to be more hands-on? Our Reptile and Amphibian Feeding Volunteers are responsible for feeding our resident reptiles and amphibians, as well as spot cleaning enclosures. Our reptile/amphibian residents include aquatic turtles, box turtles, snakes, frogs, and toads. The shift for this volunteer opportunity is an hour long.

Are birds of prey your favorite here at DPNC? We are looking for volunteers to serve as Birds of Prey Feeding Volunteers. In this role volunteers will be responsible for feeding all of our birds, including birds of prey, and spot cleaning enclosures. Volunteers serving in this role must be comfortable thawing and preparing frozen mice for feeding. Birds of prey can be intimidating and territorial, so volunteers with a calm personality are preferred. Birds of prey include, owls, falcons, hawks, and a variety of other birds. The shifts for this volunteer opportunity are two hours.
Minimum Age: 18
** Each Animal Care volunteer must go through a period of shadowing before they work on their own, and may be assigned additional miscellaneous tasks such as invertebrate feeding/tank maintenance, feeding/cage maintenance of our resident rabbit, thorough cleaning of snake enclosures, thorough cleaning of birds of prey enclosures, exhibit cleaning, giving turtle baths, moss collecting, and laundry.

Looking for a great way to support DPNC, but prefer to stay in the climate-controlled area of the offices? Want to strengthen your office skills, help out behind the scenes and see the many areas that make the Nature Center tick? We’re looking for help with all sorts of office work and projects from mailings to data entry.
Minimum Age: 15

Duties:

• General office work (labeling, sorting, filing, copying, etc.)

Qualifications:

• Computer skills (Microsoft office experience is helpful)
• Strong customer service skills
• Attention to detail
• Phone skills

Do you enjoy the great outdoors, working with your hands and helping to blaze a trail? The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center is looking for both experienced trail volunteers and those looking to learn more about the nuts and bolts of trail work to help maintain the various hiking trails around the Nature Center and Coogan Farm. Tasks for trail volunteers will involve one or more of the following: mowing, brush clearing, pruning, sawing, re-painting tree blazes, clearing culverts of debris, invasive species removal and litter pickup depending upon the time of year. For example, brush cutting is done yearly around July and November, spring cleanup in April, and invasive species removal at certain intervals

Would you like to use your love of the outdoors to help give back to the community? If so, the DPNC Giving Garden is the place for you. We are looking for at least 15 people per day to assist us with our garden at the Coogan Farm Nature and Heritage Center growing produce for donation to the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center, which distributes food across New London County. Giving Garden volunteers help with planting, weeding, watering and compost building. We will teach you everything you need to know. We supply the tools, and good company. A commitment is not required, do what you can when you can – though repeat volunteers are greatly appreciated!
The Giving Garden is now open for the 2022 season. Volunteer opportunities in the Giving Garden are now available 7 days a week in two hour shifts from 8am to 2pm. If you are a teen looking to volunteer in the Giving Garden, we have opportunities on Saturday mornings from 8 – 10am, and 10am – 12pm.
Working in the Giving Garden has many benefits; a heartwarming feeling from knowing you are helping neighbors who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, a chance to meet new people from a wide variety of backgrounds, a good work out and fresh air.

Do you appreciate working outdoors and have experience with chain saws, brush cutters etc.? If so, we are looking for you! Bring your saws, weed whackers, etc. and volunteer at Coogan Farm. We need assistance with brush cutting, stone wall repair, weed whacking, tree cutting. The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center created the 45-acre Coogan Farm Nature and Heritage Center. It is the last parcel of undeveloped farmland between downtown Mystic, Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium. The property, with sweeping views of the Mystic River, contains 370 years of American history, four early successional habitats supporting more than 10 species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as high conservation priority, and protects two crucial watersheds. With your help at Coogan Farm, nature and history can shape the future for our children and our community.

Volunteers in our Summer Nature Camp program assist with daily activities like hiking, pond dipping, exploring, art projects, animal encounters, sharing stories and playing games. We have half-day and full-day volunteer opportunities within this program.
Must be 13 years of age or older.