Extension ServiceVolunteer Opportunities
This page was created to provide a you a list of possible volunteer opportunities. These opportunities have been organized into the four categories that the Oregon Naturalist Program accepts to become a Certified Oregon Naturalist.
As more opportunities become available, we will be adding and updating the lists below.
Participatory Science
These opportunities fall into the category we call Participatory Science, which is also known as Citizen Science. These volunteer projects allow you to collect scientific data that will be used to better understand the subjects being studied.
Oregon-based Opportunities
Oregon iNaturalist Network
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/oregon-inaturalist
A statewide biodiversity documentation network using iNaturalist. Observations support research, land management, and conservation across Oregon ecosystems.
Oregon Bee Atlas/ Master Melittologist
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/oregonbeeatlas
An OSU Extension participatory science program training volunteers to collect, identify, and submit native bee specimens to support pollinator conservation and research.
Cascade Butterfly Project
https://www.cascadebutterfly.org
A regional volunteer monitoring program documenting butterfly populations and habitat conditions across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Audubon Society of Portland – Community Science
https://audubonportland.org/engage/community-science/
Volunteer programs focused on bird monitoring, migration counts, urban biodiversity, and habitat restoration in the Portland region and beyond.
Cascades Pika Watch (Oregon Zoo)
https://www.oregonzoo.org/wildlife/cascades-pika-watch
Trains volunteers to monitor American pika populations in the Columbia River Gorge and Central Oregon. Pikas are climate‑sensitive indicator species, and volunteer observations support research on ecosystem change.
Coastal & Marine Citizen Science in Oregon
Oregon Whale Watch
https://orwhalewatch.org
One of the longest‑running citizen science programs in the world (since 1978). Trained volunteers help visitors spot and count migrating gray whales from shore during winter and spring.
The Whale Trail – Oregon
https://thewhaletrail.org/regions/oregon/
A network of designated shore‑based whale watching sites. Visitors and volunteers report sighting data and promote ethical wildlife viewing.
Searching for Killer Whales (Oregon Shores + Adventure Scientists)
https://oregonshores.org/searching-for-killer-whales/
Trains volunteers to look for orcas from shore (or nearshore) along the Oregon coast. Data support NOAA recovery planning for endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
IndividuWhale (OSU Marine Mammal Institute – GEMM Lab)
https://www.individuwhale.com
A public‑facing OSU research project where community members learn to identify individual gray whales and submit photos that support long‑term health and behavior research.
Happywhale
https://www.happywhale.com
A global photo‑ID platform used by researchers and the public to identify individual whales (including many Oregon gray whales) and track movements over time.
COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team)
https://coasst.org
Trains volunteers to conduct standardized surveys of beached seabirds along the Oregon coast; data are used to track marine ecosystem change and mortality events.
CoastWatch Oregon (Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition)
https://oregonshores.org/coastwatch/
Volunteers “adopt” sections of coastline and participate in wildlife observation, marine debris surveys, habitat monitoring, and reporting stranded marine mammals.
Oregon Coast Aquarium – Sea Star Wasting Observations
https://aquarium.org/conservation/seastar
Community members report sightings of healthy and affected sea stars to help researchers track disease patterns and recovery.
Climate, Snow, Rain, & Water Programs
Community Snow Observations (CSO)
https://csoplatform.org
Engages volunteers to submit snow depth and snowpack observations, especially during storms, improving hydrology, flood forecasting, and climate models.
Mountain Rain or Snow
https://mountainrainorsnow.org
Volunteers report whether precipitation falls as rain or snow during storm events—critical data for understanding rain‑snow transition zones in the Cascades.
CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network)
https://www.cocorahs.org
A nationwide volunteer precipitation monitoring network. Oregon data are widely used by weather forecasters, hydrologists, and emergency managers.
Oregon Phenology Project (via USA‑NPN)
https://www.usanpn.org/oregon
Tracks seasonal timing of plants and animals across Oregon to understand climate impacts and ecological change.
Adventure Scientists Projects Active in Oregon
Searching for Killer Whales
https://www.adventurescientists.org/searching-for-killer-whales.html
(also listed above) Shore‑based orca monitoring along the Oregon coast.
Pacific Northwest Forest Biodiversity (Acoustic Wildlife Monitoring)
https://www.adventurescientists.org/pacific-northwest-forest-biodiversity.html
Volunteers deploy passive acoustic recorders in western Oregon forests to monitor birds, bats, and other vocal wildlife for US Forest Service research.
Tracking Whitebark Pine
https://www.adventurescientists.org/tracking-whitebark-pine.html
High‑elevation alpine project documenting locations and health of whitebark pine in Oregon’s Cascades to support recovery of this threatened species.
Wild & Scenic Rivers Water Quality
https://www.adventurescientists.org/rivers.html
Volunteers collect water quality samples on Wild & Scenic Rivers, including Oregon rivers such as the Rogue, to establish baseline conditions.
Timber Tracking
https://www.adventurescientists.org/timber.html
Volunteers collect tree samples (e.g., bigleaf maple, western redcedar) to build genetic tools that help law enforcement combat illegal logging in Oregon forests.
National Opportunities
National Citizen Science Platforms & Networks
SciStarter
https://scistarter.org
A national hub connecting people to thousands of vetted citizen science projects across disciplines, with strong educator and community leader tools.
SciStarter Ambassador Program
https://scistarter.org/ambassadors
A leadership and community‑building program training volunteers to support and sustain local citizen science engagement.
Zooniverse
https://www.zooniverse.org
The largest online citizen science platform, offering projects in ecology, astronomy, history, and more—no field work required.
CitSci.org
https://www.citsci.org
An open platform for creating, managing, and hosting citizen science projects, particularly useful for community‑led environmental monitoring.
Adventure Scientists
https://www.adventurescientists.org
Pairs volunteers with researchers to collect high‑quality data in hard‑to‑reach places, including many projects in Oregon.
USA National Phenology Network (USA‑NPN)
https://www.usanpn.org
Coordinates national phenology monitoring through Nature’s Notebook, supporting climate research, land management, and education.
Nature’s Notebook
https://www.naturesnotebook.org
The observation platform used by USA‑NPN for tracking plant and animal life cycle events.
eBird
https://ebird.org
A global bird monitoring program managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Oregon data are heavily used in conservation and management.
NASA GLOBE Observer
https://observer.globe.gov
A NASA citizen science program where volunteers collect observations (e.g., land cover, trees, clouds) that help scientists interpret satellite data. At Oregon State University, Peder Nelson serves as the science lead for the Land Cover module, connecting community observations with remote sensing research and education
Education and Outreach
These opportunities fall into the category we call Education and Outreach. These volunteer projects allow you share your knowledge about Oregon's natural history by developing and delivering programs, classes, workshops, educational hikes, public event tabling, and others where you engage with the public.
Opportunities
A list of volunteer opportunities will be added soon.
Land Stewardship
These opportunities fall into the category we call Land Stewardship. These volunteer projects allow you contribute to restoration and management opportunities that help improve and maintain protected lands. Activities include invasive plant removal, native plant seed collection, trail restoration and maintenance, fence repair and removal, and any other activity where you get to go outside and work on the land directly.
Opportunities
Luckiamute Watershed Council
https://www.luckiamute.org/volunteer.html
The Luckiamute Watershed Council is a community-based organization comprised of volunteers who are eager to help improve the health of their watershed and their communities. Whether your skills and interests are focused on long-term strategic planning, reaching out to fellow community members, or monitoring restoration sites in the field, there are many ways to get involved as an LWC volunteer. Training is given to all volunteers and support is available as needed.
Marys River Watershed Council
https://mrwc.org/get-involved/volunteer/
The Watershed Council requires that you fill out the Interest Form on their volunteer website and subscribe to their newsletter to find out about ways to get involved with Marys River Watershed Council.
Program Support
These opportunities fall into the category we call Program Support. These volunteer projects include any other activity that don't fall within the other categories. Activities in this category include serving on a committee or board for a conservation organization, office work, visitor center gift store clerk, website and records maintenance, Oregon Naturalist Program chapter leadership (including planning field courses and chapter events), and many other similar activities.
Opportunities
A list of volunteer opportunities will be added soon.