Wildlife Resource Center Volunteer Program

Who Should Apply?

If you have a passion for wildlife and are willing to devote your time and energy to caring for animals, then consider volunteering in the Wildlife Resource Center. We maintain a modest collection of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, mammals and birds.

Available Volunteer Positions

Daily Care

Our animals need lots of TLC! This volunteer position involves a variety of activities, from cleaning cages and monitoring the health of our animals to providing environmental enrichment activities. You should enjoy cleaning, be a keen observer and want to work with animals.

Diet Preparation

Always wanted to be head chef? Well, here is your opportunity. We have more than 80 animals that need specialized diets made fresh daily. Test your chopping skills and challenge yourself with artful presentations. Menus are preset, but with many options. Our staff spends about three hours per day on this task and would welcome your help. Many of our animals are carnivorous, so if you are squeamish you might want to consider another volunteer position.

Arts and Crafts

Papier-mâché, leatherworking, furniture-making… We do it all! We are dedicated to challenging our animals – and ourselves. Help us present food in a puzzle feeder or inside a papier-mâché ball that the animals will have to shred or manipulate or build new exhibit furniture to change the way an animal moves around its habitat. This is an excellent position for people good with tools (or looking to expand their skills) and who like to work with their hands.

Wildlife Interpreters

Are you a people person? Then consider this volunteer position. The Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden is a 2.2-acre preserve adjoining the Museum. All of the plants and animals it contains are native to Ohio. Help interpret our exhibits for our visitors. Answer their questions and, most important, tell them how they can help the Museum by “adopting” an animal.

Live Animal Presentations

Our mission is to help foster the public’s understanding of and appreciation for Ohio’s wildlife. An owl on your gauntlet or a skunk on your cart is a very effective way to accomplish this. Giving a live-animal presentation to our visitors can be rewarding. No auditions necessary.

For More Information

Contact Donna Brant at (216) 231-4600, ext. 3252, or dbrant@cmnh.org.