NOAA Fisheries and many community organizations work to clean up beaches, restore river habitats, and plant native species to help conserve Southern Residents, their habitat, and their prey.
By volunteering with community groups and making small changes in your daily life, you can help make our community stronger and our environment healthier. Below are some organizations that offer volunteering opportunities that ultimately help the Southern Residents.
California
Friends of the Los Angeles River
Friends’ volunteers can participate in the annual Great Los Angeles River Cleanup, act as ambassadors for the River, and lead community education programs.
Salmonid Restoration Federation (SRF)
SRF promotes restoration, stewardship, and recovery of California native salmon, steelhead and trout populations through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN)
SPAWN protects endangered, wild coho salmon and the forests and watersheds they need to survive.
Surfrider Foundation
The Foundation has opportunities for volunteers to participate in local beach cleanups, staff fundraisers, and conduct breakwater studies.
TreePeople
TreePeople inspires and helps people come together to plant and care for trees, harvest the rain, and renew depleted landscapes.
Oregon
Friends of Trees
Friends of Trees welcomes volunteers all year and offers many different volunteer positions from planning to planting to pruning.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
The Aquarium offers volunteering opportunities for many different ages and abilities at the aquarium and educational campaigns for schools and communities.
SOLVE
SOLVE brings together volunteers for cleaning up illegal dumps, planting native trees, removing invasive plants, and other environmental projects.
Willamette Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper provides great opportunities to volunteer your time to learn more about the river, contribute to programs, and become involved in river issues.
World Salmon Council
The Council’s Salmon Watch program brings students outdoors to witness wild salmon spawning and learn about Pacific Northwest ecology. The program needs volunteer educators and chaperones.
Washington
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Volunteers with the Association help recover salmon by engaging the community in restoration, education, and stewardship.
Orca Conservancy
The Conservancy collaborates with research institutions and environmental groups to address critical issues facing wild orcas.
Puget Soundkeeper
Puget Soundkeeper offers volunteer positions for many different ages and skill sets—ranging from water quality monitoring to kayak and boat patrols.
Seattle Aquarium
The Aquarium offers many volunteering opportunities including the Youth Ocean Advocates, Beach Naturalist, and Cedar River Salmon Journey programs.
Whale Scout
Whale Scout volunteers work in Puget Sound to help the public watch whales from shore and encourage locals to volunteer at habitat restoration events.
The Whale Trail
The Whale Trail features more than 100 of the best sites to view whales and other marine mammals from land, reducing impacts on the animals
For additional opportunities visit websites such as VolunteerMatch, Create the Good, and the Corporation for National and Community Service or contact your local NOAA outreach specialist.
