New England Aquarium

Revere Beach is America’s first public beach. It is a destination for tourists and locals alike, and yet, it is often littered with trash from local restaurants and marine debris. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation works hard to maintain the beach, but they need our help to remove litter, educate the public, and raise awareness about the issues surrounding marine debris. Pick up some trash, talk to some people, and keep Revere Beach clean! We’ll learn a little more about marine debris from our DCR partner, Matthew Nash, and then spend the rest of the morning picking up everything from cigarette butts to jars of molasses (seriously). On Tuesday, July 30th, help us cleanup after the Sand Sculpture Festival (July 26th-28th). Expect to find lots of debris and litter large and small! This is a monthly event throughout the summer. Please join us for as many dates as you are able, and feel free to bring a friend. (Just let us know to expect them)

Scusset Beach State Reservation is a 1.5 mile stretch along the Cape Cod Canal. The Reservation features a fishing pier, camping sites, a swimming area, and bike paths. A popular destination for locals and tourists alike, this area is in constant need of stewards to protect and clean the coastline. The Service Corps will be helping the DCR combat litter, marine debris, and assist with other work as needed. Parking for volunteers is free for the day, so stick around afterwords to enjoy the beach!

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]

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.

Woodlands Volunteer Corps (Second Saturdays) Franklin and Olmsted Parks June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12 and November 9 | 10:00am – 1:00pm Help implement a comprehensive woodlands management program and promote a healthier forest through activities ranging from removing invasive plant species to conditioning forest soil. If you are interested in this event, please register at the following link: https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/volunteer/

Non-native, introduced marine species, such as green crabs and striped anemones, can have detrimental impacts on the ecosystems they invade. These species can out-compete native plants and animals, leading to drastic changes in marine habitats. 298 species of marine invertebrates, 100 species of fish, and 200 species of plants have been identified as invasive in North American bays and coasts alone. Once established, these species can be impossible to remove. Our best defense is to monitor their growth and attempt to pass policies to prevent their spread. This is where citizen science comes in! The Service Corps is partnering with the Office of Coastal Zone Management and the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) to regularly identify and monitor invasive species in Quincy. After a brief training on identifying a few common culprits, volunteers will work in teams to record what species are growing on floating docks in a marina. No prior species identification experience necessary, but you are welcome to check out ID cards and other information on the MIMIC website. Just come prepared to learn and to get your hands dirty! *Note this project may vary in length from 1-2 hours depending on size of the volunteer team*

Spend the afternoon in and on the water helping the Barnstable Shellfish Dept. manage their quahog beds, and learn about their role in keeping our local marine ecosystems clean! Volunteers will harvest clams using rakes and baskets to thin beds, relocate them to other parts of the harbor, and seed new areas. Volunteers will be wading in water, so be prepared with clothes that can get wet, wear close-toed water footwear (Tevas, watershoes, Keens, etc), bring dry clothes for after, a windbreaker or jacket for a boat ride if you'd like, sunblock, and a small lunch/snacks for before and after. As is tradition, the crew will be stopping at Seafood Sam's in Sandwich to enjoy some locally-sourced seafood for lunch! Please note that the start time is our expected start time to begin in Barnstable, so plan your travel accordingly (exact location TBD). Carpool options: A ride to Barnstable may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, from the Braintree T Station. We can also meet you in Barnstable or the Park & Ride by Exit 14, Rockland (near the Home Depot). Please email the Service Leader for info or to secure a spot. Let us know if you plan on providing your own transportation so we can meet you at the appropriate time.

Massachusetts COASTSWEEP takes place from September through November! Organizations all over the world take part in an annual effort to cleanup coastlines while collecting valuable data on the marine debris we collect. In Massachusetts, this effort is coordinated by the Office of Coastal Zone Management over the course of the fall season. On October 27th, 2018, we are joining a national network of marine conservation organizations to host cleanups #InspiredByWes. Wes is in treatment for childhood cancer, and his mother brought to our attention the story of a boy who's last wish is to inspire people to clean up the ocean to protect the animals that live there. You can learn more by searching for "Wes' Fight Against Neuroblastoma" on Facebook. We were so moved by this simple and selfless request that we'd like to use our events to help fulfill his wish. Cleanups across the country will be taking place on this date, and posting stories and images with the hashtag #InspiredByWes. We hope you can join us in Hull to keep this coastal town free of debris, collect data for Coastsweep, and join volunteers across the nation in fulfilling Wes' wish.

Marine Mammal Education Volunteer Recruiting for: Summer 2019 Time commitment: 5 hour training and a commitment of at least 6 three hour shifts by October 1 2019. Summary: Marine Mammal Center Educators are ambassadors, representing the New England Aquarium by engaging visitors of all ages and backgrounds in one on one conversation about our fur seals and sea lions. Don't know a lot about marine mammals or how to talk to visitors? Don't worry! We provide training and mentorship to prepare volunteers with all the fun facts, information and teaching tips needed to become a highly engaging Visitor Educator. Responsibilities: Answer questions from the public, initiate conversations with visitors, and work with fun biofacts. Training is required and available free of charge to volunteers and includes topics such as marine mammal behavior, husbandry, basic biology, conservation and climate change concerns, visitor safety, public speaking skills, and communicating effectively with different age groups. Required Commitment: Attend a training class on Saturday, May 11th or Wednesday, May 15th from 10:00am to 2:00pm Completion of at least 6 three-hour volunteer shifts by October 1, 2019 Qualifications: Must have enthusiasm and interest in meeting and working with a high volume of aquarium visitors daily Willingness to learn about fur seals and sea lions and their exhibit Must be able to communicate effectively in noisy and crowded conditions Must be able to stand for long periods of time Must be comfortable moving up and down stairs throughout the day Must be able to lift and carry 25 pounds Our fur seal and sea lion exhibit is outdoors so volunteers must be comfortable being exposed to all weather conditions. Age Requirements: at least 18 years old.