Volunteer Opportunities

Check out the calendar for upcoming volunteer opportunities

To learn more about or volunteer for one of the following opportunities, please contact info@cedarriver.org.

Leadership

Board of Directors:  oversees and advocates for the organization.  This fun, hardworking group provides governance and lots of care to keep the organization thriving and mission-centered.  We're currently looking for members with a knack for business, and a heart for the environment! The Board meets monthly in downtown Seattle.  (3 year commitment)

Committees:

All committees have a one year committment, 8 hours per month. Meetings take place in Seattle.

Program and Education Committee: If you have an interest in shaping the future of the Cedar River Watershed Institute (CRWI) this committee is for you. With a focus on developing programs at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, the P&E Committee finds new presenters, hosts and markets Institute programs, evaluates and makes recommendations for the direction of the Institute. All P&E committee members are eligible to attend CRWI classes for free by hosting a minimum of two classes and sponsoring one class. Hosting means setting up, checking participants in, introducing FCRW to the participants at the beginning of the class, being available to assist with the class, handing out class surveys, and helping put materials away after the class. Sponsoring means marketing and networking the class to list serves and affinity groups that may be interested. The committee member who hosts two and sponsors one class may choose one class during the same program year to attend for free, space available.

This committee also assists with marketing of the Cedar River Salmon Journey, a seasonal, volunteer-based educational program. Participating volunteer naturalists receive twenty hours of training and then spend several weekends during the summer and fall sockeye salmon run, educating the public who visit the Ballard Locks and parks along the Cedar River. Topics include salmon life cycles, habitat needs, and general history of the Cedar River basin.

Outreach Committee: This committee is the face and the voice of FCRW to the public. Committee members work to broaden awareness and appreciation of the Cedar River Watershed and increase participation in FCRW programs and events. This often includes interacting with adults and youth while staffing FCRW booths at community fairs and festivals. There are also creative opportunities available for assisting with display development and design, and community outreach activities. Event tabling is busiest on weekends during the summer and fall months.

Fundraising and Events Committee: This committee is the engine that sustains FCRW's programs and enables the organization to continue its important work. Committee members help plan and implement  fun and engaging fundraising events geard toward raising money and increasing membership, thus engaging the community to care deeply about protecting the health of the Cedar River Watershed and the quality of drinking water in Seattle and King County. Committee members plan and coordinate events and develop marketing materials and outlets for the events.

Watershed Stewardship Program

The Watershed Stewardship Program (WSP) engages youth (12 years of age and older) and adult volunteers in hands-on restoration and education activities throughout the the Cedar River Watershed. Past volunteer activities have included the removal of invasive plants, reforestation of decommissioned logging roads, repair of interpretive trails, and the inventory of plant species. In 2006, 342 volunteers contributed 1,600 hours. Upcoming events are regularly advertised via E-Currents, the Friends' electronic newsletter. The Friends host roughly 20 restoration events per year.

Cedar River Naturalist Program

The Cedar River Naturalist Program trains up to 50 volunteers to serve as interpretive naturalists during the fall sockeye salmon migration.  Volunteers receive 20+ hours of training to learn how to educate the public in caring for this and other salmon rivers. In 2006, over 4,000 people came out to the Cedar to learn from the volunteer naturalists.   See Cedar River Naturalist page for more info about this opportunity.

Fundraising

Grant Proposal Writing to support the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed and Special Programs at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center. Some proposal-writing experience is required and a writing sample is requested. Grantwriting training is available to volunteers willing to commit to completing 5 or more grant applications.

Administrative Work

Website Management:  We need someone to make regular updates to our web-site and add pages as necessary.  Experience with Contribute is a must.  Expertise on developing forms is strongly desired.  Minimal training available.

Cedar River Watershed Education Center

The Cedar River Watershed Education Center (CRWEC) is located above the south shore of Rattlesnake Lake, 32 miles east of Seattle, at exit 32 on I-90. This model regional facility, free and open to the public, is used for environmental education programs and conferences, and includes interpretive exhibits, a research library and archives, an auditorium and classroom/meeting space.

Native Plant Landscape Maintenance and Interpretation: The Cedar River Watershed Education Center is landscaped with a regionally notable native plant garden. The garden is dominated by plant species found in the Watershed and surrounding areas, and features a remarkable diversity of native species and innovative uses of native plants (sod roofs, for example). Beginning in the Fall of 2002, the garden will require regular maintenance to control weeds, replace dead plants, spread mulch, and so forth. Opportunities for interpreting the purpose and content of the garden for the visiting public are unparalleled! If you'd like to lead or assist in either of these efforts, please contact us. Activities will be conducted under the guidance of SPU staff, and training is provided. (Potential Time Commitment: varies from one month to a lifetime!)

Cedar River Watershed Education Center Host: Hosts create a positive visitor experience by greeting guests, answering general questions, assisting with scheduling daily programs, assisting in the sales area and performing other reception duties. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, available during the day, and willing to volunteer at least 12 hours per month. Activities will be conducted under the guidance of the CRWEC Facility Coordinator, and training is provided.

Cedar River Watershed Education Center Heritage Library Volunteer: Assist with the management of the Heritage Library, helping visitors with exploration and research, including use of the GIS archival system. Volunteers may also conduct research or catalog items, and undertake other duties depending on their skills. Activities will be conducted under the guidance of CRWEC Facility Coordinator, and training is provided.

Cedar River Watershed Education Center Facility Volunteer: Assist with a wide variety of duties depending on individual skills and interests. These volunteers will help keep the Center running smoothly. They may assist with litter patrol, office work and other duties as assigned. Activities will be conducted under the guidance of CRWEC Facility Coordinator, and training is provided in March of every year.