volunteering with the cougar conservancy

Cougar Conservancy staff cannot be everywhere at once. We depend on our trained volunteers and community leaders to drive conservation efforts in their own neighborhoods. Cougar Conservancy volunteers play a crucial role in creating a significant impact in their own communities.

Our volunteer program activates key messengers within communities throughout the cougars range. Volunteers get exclusive access to resources, trainings, and workshops, which enhances their ability to disseminate scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive information about cougars and coexistence to family, friends, and neighbors in their own neighborhoods.

Community distrust of governmental agencies and non-profit organizations can impede efforts to engage with communities at risk of human-wildlife conflicts. Our volunteers are instrumental in overcoming this challenge by fostering trust and direct communication within their own community networks. Serving as reliable liaisons, they bridge the gap between our organization and community stakeholders, ensuring that critical information reaches those who need it most.

Our organization is committed to ensuring that we do not exploit passionate people by carefully designing volunteer roles that complement and support our staff rather than replace them. We avoid having volunteers perform tasks meant for staff, as this perpetuates inequities in the field of conservation, ultimately hindering diversity and inclusion. By valuing both our staff and volunteers appropriately, we strive to implement a more equitable model for volunteers in the conservation sector that benefits everyone involved.

Join us for a Volunteer Orientation!

Please fill out a volunteer survey and our staff will contact you for more information.

Fill out our volunteer survey

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at director@cougarconservancy.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Why volunteer with the Cougar Conservancy?

Being a volunteer with us means that you get exclusive access to resources, coaching, and guidance on how to share coexistence information in your own community. We invest in YOU.
Our volunteers undergo training, such as our workshops, interpretation role play training, and more, which enhances their ability to assist family, friends, and neighbors in their own area.
Lend a hand in conservation. You can contribute to our conservation programs by connecting people seeking information or resources with our team of biologists.
Assist at local events. Volunteers are crucial in the success of our education and outreach programs at public events, presentations, and during community engagement opportunities. There are opportunities for growth, as volunteers can become Volunteer Interpretive Leads for our various exhibits including, Home Safety, Trail Safety, and Cougar-Proof Enclosures.
As a volunteer you can also help grow our organization.
- Lead a fundraiser in your community to support the Cougar Conservancy’s program and services.
- Share our online resources such as our videos we have on YouTube, with friends and family on social media, Nextdoor, and other online platforms.
- Help us to grow our base and increase our visibility on social media platforms by inviting people to like our page.
Get involved in wildlife decision making. Volunteers may be asked to submit public comments or attend California Fish and Game Commission meetings to speak when there are potential legal and regulatory changes that affect mountain lions.

Could you provide an overview of the volunteer onboarding process?

Step 1: FILL OUT OUR VOLUNTEER SURVEY

A team member will contact you with an invitation to register for a Volunteer Orientation once one is scheduled.

Step 2: ATTEND A VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Attending a 1-hour long Volunteer Orientation is a requirement. This is your opportunity to learn more about the mission of the Cougar Conservancy and what your volunteer role could look like.

Step 3: DECIDE IF THE COUGAR CONSERVANCY A GOOD FIT

Decide if being a volunteer with the Cougar Conservancy is a good fit for you.

Step 4: FILL OUT VOLUNTEER PAPERWORK

If you conclude that the Cougar Conservancy aligns with your values, we invite you to fill out a Volunteer Application, Liability Waiver, Photo Release Form, and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Step 5: ONBOARD WITH THE TEAM

If your application is approved, you will be onboarded to the Cougar Conservancy team and gain access to our Volunteer Newsletter, internal team meetings, trainings, and more!

Who is your ideal volunteer candidate?

Our ideal volunteer embodies inclusivity and cares deeply about cougars and communities. They are passionate about community engagement and dedicated to fostering positive change through collaboration and empathy. With a genuine interest in learning and sharing knowledge, they strive to make a meaningful impact within their local communities.

Is there a minimum number of hours required per month for volunteering?

No, there are no minimum hours required per month to volunteer with us. At Cougar Conservancy, we believe in flexibility and appreciate the unique contributions each volunteer brings to our community. Whether you're assisting with events or taking on more involved roles, we value your time and dedication.

What types of training programs are available?

Some examples of workshops you would have access to include our;

Intro to Tools & Cougar-Proof Enclosures workshop which equips volunteers with the basic skills and knowledge to construct enclosures that effectively exclude cougars while safeguarding domestic animals and promoting wildlife conservation.
Conservation Communication & Community Engagement workshop provides volunteers with a solid foundation in communication skills on a variety of specialized and important topics.

Workshop participants receive a certification after completion, which may benefit any volunteers who are pursuing continuing education for green jobs or are working or aiming to work in the conservation sector and bolster their skill sets.

What leadership roles are available within the volunteer program?

We currently offer three distinct leadership roles within our organization:

Enclosures Lead
Trail Safety Lead
Home Safety Lead

Each role involves learning specialized topics and may include responsibilities such as overseeing exhibits, leading interpretation at both public and private events, and providing valuable feedback to enhance future programming and engagement techniques.

Training for these roles includes immersive learning experiences, including role-playing exercises to simulate real-world scenarios.

Volunteers interested in these positions are expected to commit to independent study outside of scheduled training and role-playing sessions to deepen their understanding of their respective areas of responsibility.

What do volunteer opportunities look like at events, outside of leadership roles?

Volunteers who are not in leadership roles can still offer valuable support to volunteer leads during events. Beyond this support, they engage in various tasks and responsibilities tailored to the event and the organization's specific requirements. These responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities, such as:

Event Setup and Take Down: Helping to set up event spaces, including booths, tables, and chairs before the event begins, and assisting with packing up and cleaning after an event concludes.
Registration and Check-in: Greeting attendees, checking attendees in, distributing materials, and providing general information about the event.
Assistance During Activities: Helping participants during educational demonstrations or with interactive games.
Photography and Videography: Capturing moments and documenting the event for educational and promotional purposes.

These opportunities provide volunteers with a chance to engage directly with the community, contribute to the success of events, and support the organization's mission in practical ways.

Do you offer remote volunteer opportunities?

Even though most of our opportunities are in-person, there are many ways that you can support the Cougar Conservancy’s mission from outside of the state of California. While our programs focus in California, many of the coexistence tips scale far beyond the golden state.

Being a volunteer with us means that you get exclusive access to these resources, coaching, and guidance on how to share this information in your own communities.
You will have access to our internal trainings, such as our workshops, interpretation role play training, and more, which enhances your ability to assist family, friends, and neighbors in their own area with coexistence support.
Help connect communities to our Conflict Hotline, assistance programs, and services. The Cougar Conservancy responds to the needs of communities in California and may travel for site visits, presentations, and policy work. We serve communities living outside of California through virtual presentations and remote consultations.
Share our online resources such as our educational videos on YouTube with your network on social media, Nextdoor, and other online platforms.
Help us to grow our base and increase our visibility on social media platforms by inviting people to like our page.
Get involved in policy, such as supporting the petition to list Southern & Central Coast Mountain Lions under the California Endangered Species Act. Volunteers may be asked to submit public comments or attend Commission meetings to speak.
Lead a fundraiser in your community to support the Cougar Conservancy’s program and services.

What level of communication or engagement can I anticipate from staff members?

Our organization operates a robust volunteer program within the constraints of limited resources. While we strive to maintain consistent communication, it's important to note that our capacity may impact the frequency and format of our interactions. If you are expecting daily communication and in-person events every weekend, our organization may not align with your expectations.

Our team endeavors to host Virtual Team Meetings a few times annually to provide comprehensive updates across the organization. Ahead of these sessions, volunteers receive a survey soliciting questions or agenda items they wish to address.

Additionally, our Volunteer Newsletter is disseminated multiple times throughout the year. It contains volunteer opportunities, administrative directives, and programmatic updates as they arise. Rest assured, we respect our volunteers' time and refrain from excessive communication, sending updates only when necessary.

hear from the team

“I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with several like-minded team members who really care about wildlife and doing all we can to help people and wildlife live in harmony. I have been able to use my art as a method of raising awareness for urban wildlife, and that in itself is a huge reward. I have volunteered before in my life, but never have I been with a team that is so respectful, inclusive, detail oriented, and aware. It’s a joy to be with the Cougar Conservancy and I look forward to being part of it for a long time to come.” — Sheryl Schroeder

“Volunteering with the Cougar Conservancy is amazing because of the level of collaboration with the teammates, volunteers, and community. It’s a welcoming environment of like-minded that I haven’t seen at other non-government organizations. I have been able to see first hand the impact the organization has made in the field and look forward to doing more.” — Nicole Fredrick

“The Cougar Conservancy is filling in a piece of the conservation puzzle for our native big cats through different programs. I came into my volunteer position as a sponge, gaining so much knowledge in less than a year. I have learned many skills and have grown on what I already knew going into this experience. The Cougar Conservancy has created a safe space for not only the cougars, but everyone involved in the conservation process. This is one incredibly diverse team and every individual brings many amazing talents to the organization. It is by far one of the best I have dedicated my time to.” — Talisa Garcia

“I absolutely love volunteering with the Cougar Conservancy! The work I get to do is extremely rewarding and I know all the work I do behind the scenes is making a difference to encourage coexistence with California’s cougars.”

— Tabby Reed

“Something that stands out is how respectful the organization is, especially when it comes to time commitment. The organization practices healthy boundaries, which is freeing and so appreciated. I see such compassion and respect for every volunteer, from the way we are onboarded to the way we can say yes (or no) to events due to our own personal time commitments.” — Amy Duchene