Docents Program

As a Docent, you can share your passion for nature and science while continuing to grow your own knowledge alongside fellow lifelong learners, educators, and naturalists. Docents play an important role in connecting students and visitors to the natural world through engaging tours at the Museum and educational outreach experiences in schools. This opportunity is a great fit if you are:

• Interested in learning about our region's past 65 million years and the current biodiversity in habitats
• Willing to share your passion and knowledge in a friendly, respectful, and welcoming way to a variety of Museum visitors, especially children

Volunteer Application Process

Our volunteer application and onboarding process is simple and straightforward. All interested applicants must:

• Submit an application
• Attend a virtual orientation
• Have follow-up program-specific conversations with our recruitment committees (as necessary)
• Complete a background check
• Submit necessary forms
• Send a picture for the official ID Badge

Selected applicants will undergo program-specific training that is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful volunteers for The Nat.

If you would like to submit an application, please click on the button below. For more information or questions, please email volunteers@sdnhm.org.

Apply now

Canyoneer Program

As a Canyoneer, you will lead small-group hikes through cherished urban canyons and county parks, surrounding mountain areas, national forests, and the Anza-Borrego Desert. From coast to cactus, you will share your passion and knowledge of the plants, wildlife, and habitats that make our region unique. This opportunity is a great fit if you are:

• Comfortable hiking in a variety of terrains and temperatures
• Interested in learning about the local biodiversity including plants, insects, reptiles, and birds and the habitats, ecology, geology and Native American culture of San Diego County
• Willing to share your passion and knowledge in a friendly and welcoming way to small groups of people on a trail

Submit for next season

Whaler Program

As a Whaler, you will inspire curiosity and care for the ocean during whale watching excursions. From helping guests spot a gray whale’s heart-shaped blow to exploring the challenges facing our marine ecosystems, Whalers help turn a day on the water into a memorable experience for visitors from around the world. This opportunity is a great fit if you are:

• Interested in learning about the biodiversity of Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula coastline, with a special focus on whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans
• Excited to share your passion and knowledge in a friendly, respectful, and welcoming way with a diverse public
• Willing to spend three hours aboard a boat in varying ocean conditions

Submit for next season

Want to start volunteering now?

Our Naturalist Program is a great way to get involved immediately while building engagement skills that carry over to other volunteer roles across the organization. Naturalist volunteers engage with visitors using hands-on activity carts that spark curiosity about nature and science, both inside the museum and out on the Nature Trail, the native gardens surrounding The Nat.

Naturalist trainings are held every fourth Sunday at The Nat. Reserve your spot here.

While we are not currently recruiting for our science departments, we welcome inquiries from individuals with educational or professional experience in Ornithology, Mammalogy, Entomology, Herpetology, Botany, Archaeology, Paleontology, or Library Science. Click here to learn about Science Volunteers or email volunteers@sdnhm.org.