Connect People to Nature!

Bring others closer to nature and help “combat nature deficit disorder.” Share your respect for the environment by joining the San Diego Natural History Museum’s volunteer program.

Volunteers support the mission of the San Diego Natural History Museum in many ways. Volunteers are integral to the daily operations of the Museum. In 2012, volunteers contributed more than 53,000 hours, equivalent to over $1 Million in donated time.

We offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities, including: outreach programs (Canyoneers, Docents, and Museum Whalers); science department opportunities (Birds and Mammals, Botany, Entomology, Herpetology, Paleontology, and the Research Library); and administrative departments. For high school students we have summer camp volunteer positions and limited internship opportunities in conjunction with local schools. 

There are many advantages to volunteering at the San Diego Natural History Museum:

• Excellent training by our science staff
• Notices of discounts and events free to volunteers throughout Balboa Park
• Discounts in the museum store and the Dino Café
• Ongoing volunteer events, such as lectures and movie nights
• The satisfaction of knowing you are helping a vital organization dedicated to researching and educating the public about the diversity of plant and animal life throughout southern California and the Baja peninsula

Please note that training for outreach programs is conducted once a year in the fall. If you have a particular talent or background in science, please make sure you note that on your application.