South Texas Border Chapter
Texas Master Naturalist
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
One time or special, limited time, volunteer opportunities may be found on our chapter mailing list. Opportunities may have been impacted by the pandemic so please contact the parks for details.
Native Plant Garden at the Museum of South Texas History
When: Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Monday hours available one month of regular volunteering.
Where: 200 N Closner Blvd. Edinburg, (northeast of Courthouse)
Contact: Lisa Adams or Manuel Sabino at 956-383-6911 or ladam@mosthistory.org
Additional Information: The museum is looking for volunteers who are able to volunteer on a regular or semi-regular basis. Examples of work involved include removing invasive weeds, dead heading flowering plants or assisting with pruning, watering and other maintenance. They are also looking for help conducting and/or updating a native plant survey on the grounds, creating a spreadsheet with common, Spanish, and scientific names; location; growing condition; etc. Reference books are available. Computer available during some weekdays. Gardening tools and mosquito spray provided but volunteers should bring their own gloves and hat.
Orchard/Thicket Clean-up Days at Frontera Audubon
When: Every 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month and every 4th Sunday of the month
Where: Frontera Audubon, 1101 S Texas Blvd. Weslac
Contact: 956-968-3275 to sign up
Additional information: You must call ahead to sign up to ensure that a volunteer supervisor is on hand to assist you. Tools and gloves are provided but you may bring your own.
Creatures of the Night Program Assistant at Bentsen State Park
When: Saturday nights, year round
Where: Bentsen State Park, 2800 S Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission
Contact: Roy Rodriguez, 956-584-9156, ext 234
Additional Information: Volunteers needed to assist Park Naturalist on Saturday nights during the Creatures of the Night Program. Volunteer will ride along with park naturalist and interface with visitors. Please bring your own flashlight, bug spray and drinking water. Only one volunteer is needed each Saturday but program is set for each Saturday throughout the year. Interested volunteers can call to lock in a future date.
Quinta Mazatlan
When: No regular scheduled days currently
Where Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen
Contact: John Brush, 956-681-3370 or jbrush@mcallen.net
Additional information: Contact John Brush for volunteer opportunities
McAllen Nature Center
The McAllen Nature Center is looking for volunteers, and there's something for everyone! If you enjoy talking to people, gardening, viewing wildlife, or want to help out in your community, we would like to invite you to volunteer with us.
The center offers a variety of duties that include:
Signing in guests
Nature Photography
Weed pulling
Watering
Raking
Trash pickup
Cleaning and refilling hummingbird feeders
Seasonal bird feeding
Volunteering shifts May through September are: 8 am -12 pm & 4 pm - 8 pm; Tuesday - Saturday.
October through April, the shifts are: 8 am - 12 pm, 10 am - 2 pm, and 1 pm - 5 pm; Tuesday - Saturday.
To sign up to become a volunteer or for more information, contact Jessica Tanguma at Jtanguma@mcallen.net or call the Parks & Recreation Department at 956-681-3333.
Bentsen State Park Nature Center
Where: Bentsen State Park, 2800 Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission
When: Various 4 hour shifts daily
Contact: Maria Montelongo at 956-584-9156, maria.montelongo@TPWD.texas.gov
Additional information: Greet visitors as they enter the park, answer questions, tidy the Nature Center, and enjoy the birds! Please call to schedule a shift. Volunteer days can be arranged to work on the visitor center gardens,especially if several volunteers can come.
National Butterfly Center Nursery
Where: National Butterfly Center at 3333 Butterfly Park Drive, Mission
When: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays; please call ahead to set up a time
Contact: 956-583-5400
Additional information: The Center has a regular need for volunteers to perform various duties in the plant nursery. Tools, gloves, and water are supplied but volunteers are welcome to bring their own.
Sea Turtle Inc
Where: Sea Turtle Inc, 6617 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island
When: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact: volunteer@seaturtleinc.org
Additional information: Positions available: gift shop assistant, Allison lifeguard, education assistant, outreach assistant, sea turtle diet prep, nesting season patrol
Please note you are required to attend an interest meeting before your application will be processed. Interest meetings are posted on the volunteer page on our website: www.seaturtleinc.org
Laguna Atascosa Friends' Nature Store
Where: 22688 Buena Vista Blvd., Los Fresnos, TX 78566
When: Various shifts available year round
Contact: Jolaine Lanehart at 956-832-3905 or friendsoflagunaatascosa@gmail.com
Additional information: Volunteers are needed to help with store operations and with store booth at Rio Grande Valley Birding Center and Ocelot Conservation Day activities.
Oleander Garden Volunteer
When: Ongoing. See details below.
Where: Oleander Acres, 2421 S Conway, Mission
Contact: Seth Welliver at 956-607-3304, oleandernursery@gmail.com
Additional information: The Garden is open daily free of charge, but call to schedule volunteer times as work days vary. Help is needed in weeding, planting, watering, propagating butterfly host and nectar plants, etc. More Information at: https://www.facebook.com/ButterflyGardenatOleanderAcresRVResort/
South TX Master Gardener Educational Garden Volunteer
When: Mondays and Thursdays between 8:30 and 11:30 am
Where: The South Texas Master Gardener Educational Garden is located in the park behind the Precinct 2 Multipurpose Center located at 509 E. Earling Road (extension of Nolana east of Raul Longoria) in San Juan.
Contact: Sylvia Casselman at sylvia.casselman@yahoo.com
Additional information: Master Naturalists may volunteer in the Native garden area, the wildflower meadow, the Recyclables Cemetery, and the Butterfly Garden. Duties include, but are not limited to, plant maintenance such as watering, shaping and trimming, removing weeds, gathering native seeds, and thinning native plants and transplanting ones that are salvageable.
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Nature Store
When: Saturdays 8 am - 4 pm and Sunday mornings (4 hour shifts available)
Where: Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, 3325 Green Jay, Alamo
Contact: John Thaxter at sjthaxter@gmail.com or 817-913-1811; Store Manager Amanda De Leon at amanda.deleon09@gmail.com
Additional information: The Nature Store is operated as a fund raiser for the Friends of the Wildlife Corridor. The work is in an air conditioned visitor center. Summer business is fairly slow, so it is a low pressure deal. Training will be provided. Flexible weekday volunteer hours available.
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center
When: Call for dates
Where: 714 Raul Longoria Rd. Edinburg
Contact: Monica Barrera, 956-381-9922, mbarrera @cityofedinburg.com
Additional Information: Volunteers are needed for special events during the year.
Estero Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center
When: Call for dates
Where: 3301 S International Blvd., FM 1015, Weslaco
Contact: 956-565-3919
Additional Information: Assistance is needed with school groups, plant and bird tours, and special events.
Resaca de la Palma State Park
When: To be determined (inquire)
Where: Resaca de la Palma State Park, 1000 New Carmen Avenue, Brownsville, TX
Contact: Melissa Jones, 956-350-2920, Melissa.jones2@tpwd.texas.gov
Valley Nature Center
When: As requested (Call)
Where 301 S Border Ave., Weslaco
Contact: Hollie Johnston, Executive Director, 956-969-2475
Additional Information: Assistance with field trips