Maintenance Volunteer

Established by Congress on September 2, 1980, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge encompasses some of Alabama’s last remaining undisturbed coastal barrier habitat. Located 50 miles due west of Pensacola, FL and 50 miles southeast of Mobile, AL, Bon Secour NWR comprises of coastal lands ranging from dynamic beach dunes to pine flatwoods and oak hammocks. Management at Bon Secour NWR is aimed at protecting and preserving these unique habitats and associated wildlife for generations to come. The refuge also serves as a living laboratory for students and scientists and provides wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities.

Bon Secour refuge was established to protect a unique parcel of land along the Alabama Gulf coast. Habitats include beach, sand dunes, scrub dunes, scrub forest, fresh and salt-water marshes, maritime forests, and open freshwater. These habitats serve as important stop over and staging areas for many species of neotropical migrants and other birds. Additionally, the endangered Alabama beach mouse makes its home on three of the five refuge units.  Many migratory land and water birds, sea turtles, and species with localized habitat requirements, such as beach mice, depend upon these habitats for a portion if not all of their life cycle.

Established by congress in 1980 the 7,000+ acre Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge sits along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Shores, Alabama and encompasses some of Alabama’s last remaining undisturbed coastal barrier habitat. Located 50 miles due west of Pensacola, FL and 50 miles southeast of Mobile, AL, Bon Secour NWR is comprised of coastal lands ranging from dynamic beach dunes too pine flatwoods and oak hammocks. As the refuges name suggests it provides a “safe harbor” for migratory songbirds as well as threatened and endangered species such as the Alabama Beach Mouse, Wintering Piping Plovers, and nesting Loggerhead and Kemp’s Ridley Sea turtles. Visitors of this “small town, big beach” can explore and enjoy the trails and sights of the maritime forests that are encompassed between the sandy dunes and wet marshes. Settled in amongst the sandy dunes and wet marshes is a peaceful maritime forest filled with extraordinary diversity to discover.

Bon Secour NWR is seeking enthusiastic, independent thinking, friendly couples or individuals to assist staff with Refuge General Maintenance.

General Maintenance activities include: assisting with trail and boardwalk maintenance, facilities and grounds maintenance, mowing, weeding, trimming, equipment repairs, trash removal, cleaning restrooms and other tasks. Ability to work with hand tools and small mowers required.

It is unlikely we will need assistance with Visitor Services activities at this time due to Covid-19. However, if Covid-19 concerns abate, the Visitor Service activities will include: staffing the visitor contact station, greet and orient visitors, answer the phone, sell/issue America the Beautiful passes, keep visitor center tidy, and brochure racks filled. Resident volunteers can assist with environmental education programs, outreach, and special events.

We would require staffing the visitor contact station 3-4 days a week from 9am-2pm.