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Volunteer Opportunities

The Saskatoon Zoo Society needs you!

Click here for a Zoo Society volunteer application form

 The Saskatoon Zoo Society is not the Zoo.  We are a non-profit organization that conducts environmental education

programs at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo and surrounding areas. 

(Because we are not the zoo, we do not have volunteer positions that work directly with the animals at the

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo). 

 

Our volunteer programs are divided into two sections:

 

 1) Special Event Volunteers

These are volunteers that assist with our special events and fundraising activities. 

Special Event Volunteers are assigned tasks such as ticket sellers, parking attendants,

food preparation and serving, activity supervisors, etc.  The time commitment ranges

from 2 to 6 hours per event.  If you can help with an upcoming special event,

give the Zoo Society a call at 975-3395.

 

Special event volunteers are needed for the upcoming events: 

 

Zoo Run (Sunday, April 18, 2010. 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.)

 

StarPhoenix Family Day (Sunday, July 18, 2010.  Various shifts from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

 

Lobsterfest (Saturday, November 6, 2010.  Various shifts from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

 

2) Education Volunteers (Docents)

Please note: At this time (Spring 2010) our volunteer training program

is full and we are not taking applications.

 

 

These are Volunteers that undergo a training period to conduct educational programs such as Zoo Tours,

Investigation Station interpreter, Kinsmen Children’s Zoo interpreter, and Outreach interpreter

(see below for more information on these areas).  This is a major volunteer commitment in terms

of time and learning.  Education volunteers must be available for training once a week during weekday

office hours.

 

Please Note: Applying to be a Zoo Society Education Volunteer is similar to applying for a job. 

To apply to be a education volunteer with the Saskatoon Zoo Society please complete the Volunteer

Application Form and return it to the Zoo Society (by mail, facsimile, or email) along with a cover letter

and resume.  A committee will review your application.  Successful applicants will be invited for an

interview to determine their final suitability for the position. 

Contact Cathy at 975-3395 for more information.  

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About our volunteer programs:
Founded in 1976, the Saskatoon Zoo Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to stimulating interest in animals, wildlife and environmental conservation. The Society coordinates a wide variety of educational programs at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo. The success of these programs is due, in no small part, to a continually growing group of dedicated volunteers.

 

1) Special Event Volunteers:

Special Events
There are a wide variety of special event days throughout the year. This is a good area 
for someone who can come out on an occasional basis.

Farley Fox
Farley, the Forestry Farm Fox, is the Zoo Society mascot. Volunteers wear the Farley  costume at events to entertain and to increase awareness of the Saskatoon Forestry Farm  Park and Zoo. This position is great fun and best suited for people who enjoy entertaining children.

2) Education Volunteers:

Requirements
We ask that all education volunteers:

  • Attend all training sessions and be at least 16 years old
  • Become a member of the Saskatoon Zoo Society
  • Work a minimum of four volunteer hours per month
  • Make a minimum one year commitment
  • Wear a volunteer T-shirt ($15)

 

Tour Guides
Volunteers provide informative and entertaining interpretive talks on  animal behaviour, natural history, conservation, and ecological concepts as they guide groups of school children or other special interest groups through  the Zoo, usually during school hours.


Investigation Stations  (Ask-Me Carts)
Volunteers are strategically placed throughout the Zoo with carts equipped with biofacts ("biological artifacts") pertaining to the animals. The public is encouraged to investigate the displays and ask questions about the animals. This program runs from May to September, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 - 4 p.m.

The Ask-Me Interpreters play a key role in our Wild Weekends program.

Kinsmen Children's Zoo and the Affinity Credit Union Discovery Centre
Volunteers provide educational interpretation of the different species of animals 
that reside in the Children's Zoo or Discovery Centre. Volunteers provide a "hands-on" experience for children of all ages. Volunteers are required at least one Saturday or Sunday afternoon per month from 12 - 4 p.m. throughout the year.

Outreach
Volunteers of the Outreach program take the Zoo on the road to educate the public about the Saskatoon Zoo Society, the Saskatoon Zoo and its animals. This program
requires volunteers who are mature, responsible, patient individuals who would enjoy giving interpretive presentations. The majority of presentations are done during the school day.

3) Other volunteers:

Administrative Assistant
Volunteers are needed to assist the Society with the our newsletter, stuffing and labeling envelopes, phoning, and other tasks as required. We need people for data entries of Zoo memberships, and for helping with fundraising.

Board of Directors
Members are needed to fill a variety of rewarding board positions within the Society. You must be able to attend monthly meetings and be prepared to commit ten volunteer hours or more per month. Board members are elected at the Annual General Meeting in March of each year. (Must be minimum  of 18 years old and a member for 6 months).

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