Get Involved at Mitchell Lake 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Center
Mitchell Lake 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Center is shaped by the people who show up for it. From volunteers and interns to seasonal staff and full-time team members, there are many ways to get involved and help support the birds, wildlife, and habitats that make this place special.
Whether you’re looking to lend a hand outdoors, gain hands-on experience in conservation or education, or explore a career with 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú, your time and skills help create a welcoming, vibrant space for both people and nature.
Volunteer at Mitchell Lake
Volunteers are essential to everything we do at Mitchell Lake 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Center. From habitat restoration and community science to education, outreach, and special events, volunteers help protect this landscape while creating welcoming experiences for our community.
Volunteering is a great way to build skills, spend time outdoors, meet like-minded people, and make a meaningful impact for birds and conservation.
How to Get Involved
- Read about the different kinds of volunteer opportunities below
- Interested in volunteering as an individual? Complete our
- Looking to volunteer with a company, school, scout troop, club, or other group? Complete our
- Explore current opportunities on
- Join us for a or a !
🕒 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 4th 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 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú 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
Internships at Mitchell Lake
Mitchell Lake 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Center offers paid and for-credit internship opportunities in partnership with Texas A&M University–San Antonio and Alamo Colleges. Internships may focus on conservation, education, marketing, or community engagement and provide hands-on experience working alongside staff on real-world projects. Availability varies by semester and program requirements. Students interested in internships for academic credit should coordinate with their institution and contact the center for more information.
Seasonal Positions at Mitchell Lake
Mitchell Lake 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Center offers temporary, paid seasonal positions that support our daily operations, environmental education programs, and visitor experiences. These roles provide an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a nature center setting while contributing to conservation and community engagement.
Our Seasonal Naturalists help keep the Center running smoothly by welcoming visitors, assisting with Welcome Center operations, supporting school field trips and family programs, and helping care for our native plant gardens. This part-time, six-month position offers up to 20 hours per week, including a required Sunday shift, and is well suited for individuals who enjoy working with the public, spending time outdoors, and learning about the natural world.
Previous customer service experience is preferred, but extensive knowledge of birds and plants is not required. Training is provided as needed.
Seasonal Naturalist positions are filled as openings become available and are posted through the 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú's careers website.
Careers with 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú
Mitchell Lake 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Center is part of the 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú, an organization working across the Americas to protect birds and the places they need. While full-time positions at Mitchell Lake are limited and open infrequently, 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú offers a wide range of career opportunities beyond our center.
Careers with 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú span conservation science, education, policy, communications, development, and nonprofit operations, with positions based across the country and opportunities for both field-based and office-based work. If there are current full-time openings at Mitchell Lake 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Center, they will be listed with Mitchell Lake–specific job postings through the 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú’s careers website. We encourage interested candidates to check back periodically.
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