Conservancy seeks summer volunteers

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida logged total of 85,000 volunteer hours from 650 part-time, full-time and as-needed volunteers last year, according to Monica Monahan, who oversees volunteer services.

"That is an astounding number of hours contributed, and the value of the time and skills volunteers give is remarkable," she said. "They fill critical needs to the Conservancy's work, and we would not have the resources to replace them with paid staff."

Although the numbers sound large, the Conservancy needs more volunteers during the summer months.

"The Conservancy works 12 months a year, but our seasonal volunteers cannot. That means there are never enough volunteers during the summer months to cover the hours and assignments that we rely on volunteers to fill. So our greatest need is for those who can be with us year-round and are able to give time on a regular schedule," said Monahan.

Many volunteers are past professionals who choose to draw on their career backgrounds. Volunteers with a retail background enjoy utilizing their skills at the Conservancy's three furniture retail shops. Those with fundraising backgrounds assist with events and membership.

"The Conservancy is involved in so many areas and not all are highly visible," said Monahan. "They include things like working with communities and governments, monitoring meetings and gathering information, so Conservancy volunteers may attend meetings and return with information about environmentally related issues."

Submitted photo

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is looking to add to its volunteer corps.

Educational outreach includes numerous outdoor and indoor opportunities, such as the beach walks, nature trails and nature tours. Other scheduled offerings include lectures by guest experts, an after-school program for kids, and presentations by volunteer experts that range from snakes to seashells at the Discovery Center.

Not all volunteer positions are "in touch with nature," in the literal sense. The Conservancy has three upscale furniture consignment shops, the Nature Center information desk, and lesser known jobs such as"critter couriers," who transport injured animals to the clinic and/or back to their natural habitat.

Orientation is held at 10 a.m., the second Friday of every month, at the Nature Center.

For information about volunteering, call Monahan at 403-4212.For more information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call 262-0304 or visit www.conservancy.org.