Handouts for Current Volunteers
The World Center for Birds of Prey is the headquarters of The Peregrine Fund. Established in 1984, the World Center houses more than one hundred birds of prey, the young from which are released to the wild in the United States and internationally. The World Center is also home for our public education program, the Archives of American Falconry, and headquarters for many national and international projects and programs.

The Velma Morrison Interpretive Center is The Peregrine Fund's principle interface with the public. Its staff of dedicated volunteers provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about the biology, ecology, and conservation of birds of prey. Volunteers are key to the success of the visitor center. Without their hard work, we simply could not operate.

Our Volunteers:
Although their backgrounds, interests, occupations, and ages differ widely, our volunteers all share a love and concern for conservation of nature. They support The Peregrine Fund by contributing their time and talents to the organization. The close bond between volunteers affords many lasting friendships.

Volunteer Comments
"As a docent, my biggest rewards come when I see visitors become enthralled in all aspects of the tour and thank me profusely before leaving. It is at these times that I can tell I have made an impression on someone by giving them a new appreciation for nature and particularly birds of prey."
-Christa Braun

"Volunteering for an organization that is results driven and has a world-wide impact is interesting, educational, and has been personally rewarding. I selected the gift shop area because I had never worked in retail and I like meeting the visitors that come through the facility. I almost always have a few minutes to visit with the guests and I can always assure them they are going to experience a tour unlike any other. The docents never fail to make a wonderful impression. "
- Patricia Kolb

How Volunteers Help:
Volunteers perform a variety of functions for The Peregrine Fund, from leading tours in the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center to working behind the scenes in the Research Library or cleaning bird chambers, there is something for everyone.  Following are the general positions for which we use volunteers:

1. Interpretive Center Docent. Docents conduct tours of the center, answer questions concerning the biology of raptors and our conservation work, run multi-media presentations, and handle and present our educational raptors.
2. School Tour Docent.  School Tour Docents conduct school tours of the Interpretive Center.  All student tours emphasize active learning at a developmentally appropriate level.  A variety of school tours are offered, from general to topic specific.
3. Interpretive Center Ambassador. Volunteers in our reception area/gift shop greet visitors on the telephone, take admissions, sell gift shop merchandise, and answer general questions.
4. Chamber Cleaner. The use of live birds of prey is the highlight of our interpretive program. The maintenance and upkeep of chambers used to house these birds is an important task undertaken by volunteers interested in having a closer interaction with our raptors.
5. Office Assistant. Many volunteers assist with general office tasks, the  Archives of Falconry, and the Research Library.
6. Bird Sitter.  Those who bird sit are responsible for staying with perched birds in the courtyard and interpreting the birds to the public, as well as ensuring the comfort and safety of the birds.
7. Other assignments as needed.  From time to time, unique opportunities arise which offer volunteers different opportunities to be of service to the needs of The Peregrine Fund.

We offer about four workshops a year on various subjects ranging from bird handling to interpretive techniques to operations training.  One workshop per year is required per volunteer.  Specific positions may require more training.

We have a small library available to volunteers with 25 hours of service.  It is full of materials on raptors and The Peregrine Fund.  We enable our volunteers to be their best by providing an environment that is welcoming, informed and materials with which they can educate themselves.

Current Volunteer Openings:

• School Tour Docents
• Interpretive Center Public Docents
• Research Library Assistant

Who Can Apply?
Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from high school students to retired business people and government workers to teachers to homemakers. The job does not require previous experience and/or knowledge about birds or biology. What it does require is enthusiasm, dedication, an interest in conservation of nature, and a desire to share knowledge with others. The rewards of this experience are immeasurable.

How to Apply:
To apply for a volunteer position at the World Center for Birds of Prey, please print an application (pdf file), fill in the information, and mail it to our  Volunteer Coordinator at the address on the application.  Our Volunteer Coordinator  will contact you to schedule a visit and discuss how you can fit into our volunteer family.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering for The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey.

Participate with the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation by volunteering at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey. Once you have completed 100 hours or more you will be eligible to earn the President’s Volunteer Service Award. To find out more please click on the link below.