New England Aquarium

Volunteers for the Aquarium Lecture Series assist with checking in guests, answer questions, set-up and break down materials, provide general program support, and provide an overall pleasant and inviting atmosphere. You are also welcome to stay to enjoy the lecture! To learn more about the lecture series and to see upcoming speakers, see our website.

Help protect Boston Harbor by raising awareness about storm drain pollution! Every time it rains, pollutants from the street and sidewalk (such as oil, gasoline, pet waste, and trash) can run off into storm drains. These pollutants are eventually discharged into Boston Harbor, causing water quality to deteriorate and negatively affecting marine life. A representative from Boston Water and Sewer Commission will lead an orientation on the history of the city's storm drains, how these drains impact water quality, and what we can do to improve local water quality. Volunteers will then be given detailed city maps which we will use to locate and label with decals that read "Don't dump, drains to Boston Harbor." Come prepared to walk and navigate the city for the sake of clean water!

Each September through November, thousands of volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out for COASTSWEEP—the statewide coastal cleanup sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). COASTSWEEP is part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Volunteers from all over the world collect marine debris—trash, fishing line, and any other human-made items—and record what they find. This information is then analyzed and used to identify sources of marine debris and develop education and policy initiatives to help reduce it. We hope you can join us to keep this coastal town free of debris, collect data for Coastsweep, and join volunteers across the nation in fulfilling Wes' wish.

Myles Standish is the largest publicly-owned recreation area on the South Shore. Consisting largely of pitch pine and scrub oak forest, this is the largest forest of its kind north of Long Island. The forest surrounds 16 lakes and ponds, including several ecologically significant coastal kettle ponds. A popular destination year-round for camping, hiking, and other recreational activities, the Mass Department of Recreation manages this site for both people and wildlife alike. Volunteers on this day will cut back brush around campsites and trails and assist DCR staff in other tasking as needed. Come journey to the South Shore with us to experience this unique habitat!

Want to know more about the live blue Service Corps? Through this program, we partner with local environmental organizations to provide episodic volunteer opportunities with a smaller commitment that still has an important impact on our mission! This program was built in flexibility; you only sign up for the service events in which you're interested and for which you have the time. To become a live blue Service Corps member, volunteers are first required to attend a one time, hour long orientation at the Aquarium. During this orientation, you'll learn more about the live blue Service Corps, the kinds of projects you'll be doing, and what to expect. It's also a great chance to meet other volunteers! After attending the orientation you'll be able to sign up for any and all live blue Service Corps projects posted on serve.neaq.org/calendar. [Note that if you are interested in a more committed program, namely those in animal care and education, please visit serve.neaq.org/ClassicCorps to read about the application process]

Member Appreciation Night (formerly Dive-In) is a quarter-annual event where NEAq members are invited to attend the Aquarium after hours. At this event, LBSC volunteers will staff a table to sign folks in and help with general set-up, provide directions, check in and event support as needed. You can also take some time yourself to walk around the Aquarium afterwards.

This Member-exclusive breakfast will be fun for the whole family! Members will have access to the Aquarium before opening hours, as well as access to a delicious breakfast and activities. Volunteers are needed to support setup and registration at this event and Opening lobby doors, hand stamping attendees and directing them to activities.