Get Involved at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center

🕒 4-5 Hour Commitment | Primarily Weekday Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Education Assistants play a vital supporting role in delivering engaging, hands-on nature education programs for school groups. By assisting with preparation, set-up, and group engagement, they help ensure a smooth, enriching experience for visiting students. This role is ideal for those interested in environmental education and enjoy working with children and outdoors.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Assist staff and Docents during school programs and activities
🪶 Help set up, organize, and cleanup program materials
🪶 Support small group supervision and engagement during hands-on activities
🪶 Ensure a safe and welcoming environment for visiting students

🕒 4-5 Hour Commitment | Primarily Weekday Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Education Docents connect students with nature through engaging, hands-on outdoor programs. By helping young learners explore the natural world, they inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and an appreciation of our local ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Begin as an Education Assistant to train and shadow the Education Coordinator
🪶 Lead school group programs aligned with state science standards
🪶 Facilitate nature walks, outdoor observations, and interactive lessons
🪶 Manage group dynamics and engage students in environmental education topics

🕒 4 Hour Shifts | Weekdays or Weekends | Mornings or Afternoons

Purpose & Goals

As the welcoming face of MLAC, Visitor Center Naturalists create an engaging, informative experience for all guests. They ensure visitors feel welcomed and enriched, fostering appreciation for nature through quality interactions and creating educational resources.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Greet and orient visitors to MLAC
🪶 Answer phones and manage guest sign-ins
🪶 Provide basic information about local flora, fauna, and Center history
🪶 Support visitor center operations, including handling nature store sales

🕒 2-3 Hour Commitment | Primarily Saturdays | Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Bird Tour Guide Assistants assist with Mitchell Lake’s monthly bird walks to gain experience and confidence before leading tours on their own. By supporting the lead guide with group management, spotting birds, and engaging guests, assistants ease into public-facing birding roles while learning best practices for guiding. This role is a great steppingstone for volunteers interested in sharing their passion for birds but who prefer to build skills gradually.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Support the Lead Bird Tour Guide during monthly walks and special events
🪶 Assist with welcoming participants and setting group expectations
🪶 Help spot and identify birds for the group
🪶 Engage guests by answering questions and sharing observations
🪶 Learn guiding techniques by shadowing and participating
🪶 Gradually build confidence toward leading tours independently

🕒 2-3 Hour Commitment | Primarily Saturdays | Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Bird Tour Guides share their passion for birding while making the hobby accessible to visitors of all experience levels. Through guided walks and educational programs, they help guests discover and appreciate Mitchell Lake's diverse bird population.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Lead monthly beginner bird tours on 4^th Saturday of the month
🪶 Create engaging experiences for birders, including beginner birders
🪶 Share knowledge about local and migratory species & bird ID
🪶 Lead bird walks for specialized events throughout the year (Christmas Bird Count, Migratory Bird Fest, etc.)

🕒 3-5 Hour Commitment | Weekdays or Weekends | Mornings, Afternoons, Evenings

Purpose & Goals

Represent MLAC at community festivals, nature festivals, and partner programs throughout San Antonio. Volunteers share information about our site and mission, engage guests in educational activities, and help connect new audiences with nature. No experience required; we’ll provide the training!

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Staff outreach booths at community and partner events & festivals 
🪶 Welcome and engage guests in nature-themed activities
🪶 Share information about MLAC programs, events, and opportunities
🪶 Answer questions using materials and information provided by MLAC

🕒 2-3 Hour Commitment | Weekdays & Weekends | Mornings & Evenings

Purpose & Goals

Programs & Events Volunteers help bring Mitchell Lake's mission to life by supporting our signature public programs. From Migratory Bird Fest to Owl Prowls, they play a key role in creating fun, organized, and memorable experiences for our visitors — often serving as the extra hands that make the magic happen.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Assist with set-up and clean-up for events
🪶 Staff or support activity & craft tables or event stations
🪶 Answer basic questions about the event or MLAC
🪶 Support staff with event logistics and crowd flow

🕒 2-3 Hour Commitment | Weekdays & Weekends | Mornings & Evenings

Purpose & Goals

Events & Programming Photographers help document and share the experiences that make Mitchell Lake Audubon Center special. By capturing photos and short videos during public programs and events, volunteers support outreach, storytelling, and community engagement — helping more people see themselves reflected in our programs and inspired to get involved.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Capture photos and short videos of activities, participants (with consent), and the landscape during programs and events
🪶 Document moments that highlight learning, connection, and fun at Mitchell Lake
🪶 Communicate with staff onsite about priority moments or activities to capture

No professional photography experience is required. Volunteers are welcome to use phones or personal cameras.

🕒 Flexible Scheduling

Purpose & Goals

Marketing volunteers help promote MLAC's programs and mission throughout the community. Their work increases the Center's visibility, encourages program participation, drives visitation, and supports our fundraising efforts through various communication channels.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Create compelling content for social media and email communications
🪶 Design and distribute eye-catching program materials
🪶 Photograph wildlife, events, and visitor experiences
🪶 Support community outreach and event promotion
🪶 Craft engaging content that illustrates MLAC’s conservation mission

🕒 2-Hour Commitment | Weekdays or Saturdays | Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Under the guidance of the Land & Conservation Coordinator, Habitat & Gardens volunteers care for our native plant gardens and surrounding habitats. Their work helps maintain safe, healthy, and welcoming spaces for wildlife and visitors alike. Tasks vary by season and may include restoration, maintenance, and beautification projects.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Weed, prune, mulch, and water native plant gardens and landscaped areas
🪶 Remove invasive species and support habitat restoration efforts
🪶 Work outdoors in varying conditions 

🕒 2-3 Hour Commitment | Weekdays or Saturdays | Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Habitat Work Co-Leaders assist the Land & Conservation Coordinator in leading volunteer groups during habitat workdays. They help ensure that volunteers use tools safely and follow proper techniques, creating a productive and secure work environment. By providing guidance and support, Co-Leaders enhance the volunteer experience while contributing to the success of our habitat projects.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Demonstrate safe and proper use of tools and techniques
🪶 Support and guide volunteers during habitat workdays
🪶 Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and safety-focused environment
🪶 Guide and support volunteers during habitat work projects

🕒 3-4 Hour Commitment | Weekdays or Saturdays | Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Trail Maintenance volunteers help connect visitors to nature by maintaining safe, accessible pathways throughout Mitchell Lake. Through their dedicated care of our trails, they protect native habitats while ensuring quality outdoor experiences for all guests.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Maintain and repair walking trails
🪶 Monitor trail conditions and report issues
🪶 Assist with trail improvements and new construction
🪶 Physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions

🕒 3-4 Hour Commitment | Weekdays or Weekends | Primarily Mornings, Flexible

Purpose & Goals

General maintenance volunteers help keep MLAC’s facilities and grounds in good working order, ensuring a safe, functional, and welcoming environment for staff and visitors alike.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Assist with basic facility maintenance and repairs
🪶 Help with groundskeeping tasks
🪶 Support special projects as needed
🪶 Physical work in varying conditions

🕒 2 Hour Commitment | Weekdays or Weekends | Primarily Mornings, Flexible

Purpose & Goals

Grassbusters volunteers help restore native habitats by removing invasive grasses, creating space for wildlife and native plants to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Assist with basic facility maintenance and repairs
🪶 Help with groundskeeping tasks
🪶 Support special projects as needed
🪶 Physical work in varying conditions

🕒 1-3 Hour Commitment | Weekdays & Weekends | Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Bird Surveyors contribute to vital data collection efforts that track and monitor Mitchell Lake's bird populations. Through regular surveys, they help document species diversity across our various habitats while supporting important conservation research through uploading all their findings in eBird. MLAC uses these lists as well to keep up to date on what is generally being seen onsite!

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Conduct bird surveys across various habitat types at MLAC
🪶 Record observations using eBird
🪶 Flexible scheduling based on surveyor preference
🪶 Optional: Submit separate lists for different habitat areas
🪶 Shadow experienced bird surveyors if necessary (typically Wed or Thurs AM)

🕒 2-3 Hour Commitment | Weekdays or Weekends | Mornings

Purpose & Goals

Community scientists contribute to valuable research and conservation through data collection and monitoring. This program engages volunteers in meaningful scientific work while gathering crucial ecological data for conservation efforts.

Key Responsibilities

🪶 Participate in projects like NestWatch and FeederWatch (and soon: Phenology Program!)
🪶 Collect and record scientific data
🪶 Work solo or in small teams
🪶 Complete required training for specific projects

Seasonal Site Hosts play an important behind-the-scenes role in helping keep the center safe, welcoming, and running smoothly. This is a part-time, paid, RV-based position that supports daily site operations, guest safety, and after-hours responsibilities. Site Hosts assist with opening and closing procedures, end-of-day and after-hours checks, and ensuring visitors have exited the property safely at closing time. They also support staff by helping maintain a calm, secure environment for visitors, wildlife, and the site as a whole.

Site Host contracts typically range from three to six months. Hosts are generally scheduled for 5–10 paid hours per week, and approximately 30 volunteer hours are strongly encouraged in areas such as education, habitat management, or maintenance. Volunteer hours may be shared if two individuals host together in one RV.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have access to an RV, pass a criminal background check, and meet position requirements.

Submit a Site Host Interest Form

Education Assistants support environmental education programs by helping deliver engaging, hands-on learning experiences for students and visitors. This is a paid, seasonal position, typically lasting three to six months.

Education Assistants work alongside staff educators to prepare materials, support outdoor activities, and assist during school field trips and public programs. This role is a great fit for individuals who enjoy working with children, spending time outdoors, and supporting learning in a nature-based setting.

Education Assistant positions are filled as needed. When a position becomes available, it is posted through the National Audubon Society’s careers website.

View Mitchell Lake Job Openings