Opportunity Details
Seal Watch
In 1985, Dian Hardy and other local activists from Jenner discovered that the harbor seals at Goat Rock State Beach were in greater danger from beach visitors and unleashed dogs than from the pollution of a recent sewage spill into the Russian River. In response to these concerns, they organized shifts on the beach at the river mouth where they educated visitors about the federally protected marine mammals at the beach. This began one of the first Stewards-supported programs, Seal Watch. Today, volunteers supported by Stewards assist the public in safeguarding this local harbor seal habitat, the largest on the Sonoma Coast.
Tasks: If you enjoy people and animals, then you will love being a Seal Watch volunteer! Seal Watch volunteers rove Goat Rock Beach at the rookery, located at the mouth of the Russian River via Goat Rock Beach. Volunteers assist in protecting the harbor seals during the busy weekends in the late spring/summer months through interpretation, talking with beachgoers, informing them about harbor seals identification, their natural history, their international protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and overall conservation with the help of a Seal Watcher. Beachgoers from near and far are able to view the animals from a safe distance with help of ropes, signs, and binoculars maintained by Seal Watch volunteers. Read the Seal Watch duty statement for a complete description.
Meeting times: Seal Watchers are stationed at Goat Rock Beach from March through Labor Day. Shifts are each 4 hours on weekends.
Training and requirements: New volunteers should attend and register for a Seal Watch training or watch our New Volunteer Orientation Video online. Volunteers will then shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable manning a shift on their own. To schedule yourself for a volunteer shift, find the contact information for the appropriate monthly coordinator listed below. Use the calendar to view available shifts. New volunteers are required to attend one General Orientation, and encouraged to attend our affordable seminars to further their education. All new volunteers are required to complete an application which you can access on this page. Give us a call if you would rather a hard copy mailed to your home.
PLEASE feel free to telephone us with any questions! We are happy to help! 707-869-9177 or contact stewards@stewardscr.org for more information.
Age Minimum (with Adult): 14+, Minimum Age:18+
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