Long-Term Volunteer Programs & Internships

The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve preserves, protects, and manages the natural and cultural resources of the Tijuana River Estuary by focusing on research and education with compatible recreation and resource use. Volunteers are essential to our mission, helping to steward the land, educate the public, assist with select aspects of research, and ensure that visitors to the Reserve have a quality experience.

• Educational Docent
• Field & Lab Research
• Information Ambassador
• Restoration Guide
• Shorebird Steward (currently unavailable)
• Stewardship

Volunteer Requirements
TRNERR requires that all long-term volunteers commit to 1 year of service, to include a minimum of 4 hours per month. Educational Docents, Restoration Guides and Shorebird Stewards must be 18+ years of age and submit to a background check and LiveScan fingerprinting procedure. Information Ambassadors, Research and Stewardship volunteers may be 16-17 years of age with parental consent, or 14-15 years of age if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

How to Become a Long-Term Volunteer

1.  Submit a Volunteer Application Form
Please note that Stewardship volunteers are accepted year-round, while all other programs admit new volunteers only in the Spring to coincide with our annual Information Ambassador Training.

2. Volunteer Interview
After receiving your volunteer application, we will contact you for a volunteer interview. The interview is an opportunity for you to tell us more about your community service interests and goals. It will also give you a chance to ask more questions about the Reserve and our volunteer program. This discussion will help us work together to find the volunteer position that is right for you.

3. Participate in Training
The Information Ambassador training is for all long-term volunteers in stewardship, research, and education. All new long-term volunteers should first complete a 10-hour training and must be willing to commit to serving a minimum of 4 hours per month.

The Reserve is currently recruiting for the following positions:

• Special Event Tabling Docent
• School Program Docent
• Friday Morning Stewardship
• Research Volunteer (seasonal)
• Restoration Guide (volunteer leader)

Docents complete another 8 hours of classroom time and additional engaging multi-media self-study modules and shadowing to complete their training. Volunteers may sign up for additional volunteer program training classes during or after completion of this course. Additional continuing education training is required for Restoration Guides and Shorebird Stewards.

Information Ambassador Training Course for New Volunteers:
Saturdays, April 1st and 15th, 2023 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (must attend both sessions).

4. Establish a Schedule
You will work in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator and Program Coordinator(s) to establish your schedule. We require a minimum of 4 hours per month for a period of 1 year.