City Wildlife would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers who give their time to care for the animals in our center, help collect birds on our Lights Out routes, and monitor duck nests around the city. If you are thinking of volunteering, please take a look at the requirements and job descriptions below.
Animal Care
Animal care volunteers work closely with the City Wildlife staff as they perform daily tasks: preparing animal meals, cleaning enclosures, washing dishes, doing laundry, sweeping, mopping, and performing other general housekeeping tasks. Seasoned volunteers may also have the opportunity to assist staff members by handling animals for exams, weighing animals, and hand-feeding young animals. Volunteer responsibilities will increase with experience. We utilize volunteers year round, but the greatest need is in the spring and summer.
Volunteer Requirements:
In order to volunteer at City Wildlife’s rehabilitation center, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Commit to working at least eight hours per month for six months.
- Be in good health.
- Be able to lift heavy objects and work on one’s feet for hours at a stretch.
- Be fully vaccinated for COVID (proof will be required prior to volunteering).
City Wildlife’s animal care volunteer program is not currently accepting applications for new volunteers. We will likely hold another round of orientations for new volunteers in March 2025. Please check back then if you are still interested.
Lights Out DC
To reduce fatal bird/glass collisions Lights Out DC, encourages building owners to turn off unnecessary lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. during spring and fall migrations (April-June and September-November). Lights Out DC volunteers walk a four-mile route in downtown DC to inspect buildings and collect dead or injured migratory birds that have collided with glass. Injured birds are monitored and released (if recovered) or taken to City Wildlife’s rehabilitation center if their injuries are more severe. Dead birds are tagged and saved. Data on the birds found is collected and cataloged on a spreadsheet. Ultimately, it is used to convince building owners and managers to adopt light abatement procedures for the sake of migrating birds.
There are currently two different Lights Out routes: one near Union Station and one in Chinatown.
Volunteer Requirements:
-
- Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
- We ask volunteers to commit to walking at least 1 morning per week for the duration of the migratory season (April – June or September – November). Walks occur 7 days a week at 5:30 am. Walks usually last for an hour and half.
- All volunteers are asked to walk in pairs. Generally, we partner new volunteers with seasoned volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering for Lights Out DC please email LODC@citywildlife.org.
Duck Watch
During nesting season, Duck Watch volunteers monitor Mallard nests across the city. Volunteers may provide information to residents and building managers, keep a count of the number of eggs in a nest, and discourage citizens from disturbing a Mallard nest or feeding the mother. Ideally, as soon as the ducklings hatch, mom will begin leading them to water. If, for some reason, she cannot or ducklings will not be able to make the journey, volunteers work with City Wildlife staff members to help relocate the mother and ducklings.
Emails are sent out to Duck Watch volunteers throughout the season, requesting that someone confirm a nest location that has been reported by a concerned citizen. We typically ask volunteers to commit to monitoring at least 1 nest per season and checking on it at least twice a week until the eggs hatch. The location and the success of each nest is cataloged by City Wildlife and the Washington Humane Society at the end of the season.
Volunteer Requirements:
-
- Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
- Volunteers must be willing to be on call to help monitor nests. Generally, a Duck Watch volunteer will be assigned nests close to their home or work.
- Once assigned, a volunteer will check on their nest every one to two days depending on the age of the nest. Volunteers may be asked to help the mother Mallard lead her ducklings to water.
If you are interested in volunteering for Duck Watch, please contact April Linton at april.linton@citywildlife.org.
