Make a difference in the lives of students and our community by volunteering. Whether it’s pulling invasive plants, teaching children about the wonders of nature or sharing a piece of Michigan’s history, we need your help in connecting people to science, agriculture and history.
Apply to volunteer!
Step 1: Adult volunteer applicants
Complete an online adult volunteer application and the following volunteer forms.
- Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Consent and Release
- KBS Code of Conduct
- MSU Photo/Video/Audio Release Form
Step 1: Youth volunteer applicants
Complete an online youth volunteer application and the following forms with an adult guardian.
MSU Youth and Guardian Volunteer Forms:
- Medical Treatment Authorization Form
- Media Release Form
- Parent-Guardian Consent Form
- Pick-up, Drop-off, and Commuter Form
Step 2: All Applicants
Return required forms by uploading forms with your application or email to volunteers@kbs.msu.edu, or mail to the KBS Volunteer Coordinator at 3700 E. Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
Step 3: All Applicants
Complete an interview. The KBS Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to arrange a convenient time and date.
To see when our next volunteer training is, take a look at our event calendar.
Questions? Call (269) 671-2263 or send an email to volunteers@kbs.msu.edu.
It’s OK if you’re not sure how you want to contribute. Simply apply, and we’ll talk with you about the many volunteer opportunities available.
KBS Volunteer Opportunities
Agriculture & ecology student activity trail guide at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Lead students on this Sanctuary trail during their field trips, teaching them about farming and the environment and how this is connected to a bowl of Kellogg’s cereal. After attending training, new guides are invited to follow experienced guides on a few tours until they are comfortable going out on their own.
Full assignment description: Trail guide–Agriculture & ecology student activity trail
Avian care
Are you interested in working with birds behind the scenes? Help us with the maintenance of enclosures and with feeding and maintaining a safe, clean environment for our resident birds.
Full assignment description: Avian care
Bird Sanctuary tour guide
Whether you’re an expert birdwatcher or eager to learn a new skill, we invite you to become a Bird Sanctuary tour guide. Training covers concepts such as adaptations, migration, nesting and waterfowl identification. After attending training, new guides are invited to follow experienced guides on a few tours until they are comfortable going out on their own.
Full assignment description: Bird Sanctuary tour guide
Bird Sanctuary Resource Center/Gift Shop attendants
Volunteer in the Bird Sanctuary’s Resource Center to meet new people and enjoy the beauty of the Sanctuary. Volunteers staff the Resource Center on weekends throughout the year and may choose a four-hour shift that best fits their schedule.
Full assignment description: Resource Center host
Carpentry / painting / fix-it assistant
If you’re handy, we have projects for you! Assignments include small carpentry projects, hanging pictures, painting and minor equipment repairs.
Full assignment description: Carpentry / painting / fix-it person
Citizen science
American Kestrel nest box monitor
Contribute to citizen science by monitoring American Kestrel nest boxes.
Full assignment description: Kestrel nest box monitor
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP)
Help track monarch populations, understand monarch use of available habitat, and investigate factors that affect monarch populations.
Training: Applicants must complete the MLMP online training
Full assignment description: Citizen science projects
Gardening
With over 4,000 acres to care for, grounds volunteers are always welcome! Opportunities to help maintain trails and keep gardens blooming are listed below.
- Adopt-a-trail—Help us maintain our miles of walking and biking trails! Hit the trail when your schedule permits and remove branches, litter, and even invasive species if you choose. Get outside and bring the family! (2-4 hours/month)
- Lakefront landscaping—Lakeshore plantings create an attractive and functional buffer zone between lawn areas and Gull Lake. Help is needed to maintain this area as a demonstration for lakefront property owners. (3-4 hours/week)
- Manor House gardens—Annuals, perennials, ground covers, woody shrubs and trees all need “TLC” to stay healthy, happy and beautiful! (3-4 hrs./week)
- Pollinator Garden—Look after a garden designed to attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators, located at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. (2-3 hours/week)
Full assignment description: Gardens, trails and grounds
Kellogg Experimental Forest maple syrup production
W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest offers you the chance to beat cabin fever, help others and learn to make a traditional spring favorite—maple syrup.
Volunteers will tap trees, collect sap, operate the sap evaporator and package maple syrup at the Augusta-area forest from mid-February through mid-April. Activities are weather dependent, as sap runs on warm days following very cold nights. Volunteers are also needed at the open house event to greet visitors and run activities.
Full assignment description: Maple syrup production
KBS lab volunteers
Enjoy science? Want to be part of MSU research? Consider making a difference for one of our graduate students as a lab volunteer. Our students study everything from water to soil to plants to animals!
Especially during summer and fall, they can use help with seed collection, watering plants and other activities crucial to the integrity of their research.
Full assignment description: Lab volunteers
Manor House docent / special events
Help share a piece of local history with visitors from around the corner—and around the world!—by becoming a Kellogg Manor House docent. Training sessions will include learning about house construction and history, W.K. Kellogg’s life and work, and tips on how to lead an enjoyable tour.
Full assignment description: Manor House docent / special events
Policies and procedures
In an effort to make your volunteer experience safe and enjoyable, please review the volunteer handbook for policies, trainings and benefits.
Volunteerism by the numbers: The value of volunteers
Volunteers help to support and grow the Kellogg Biological Station community network. Volunteers spend a median of 30 hours a year doing a range of work, including environmental education, land management, office support, and historical preservation in support of W.K Kellogg’s conservation legacy. Check out our annual report to read about the influence volunteers have in our community.

A legacy of conservation; a commitment to sustainability.
3700 E. Gull Lake Drive
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
(269) 671-5117
info@kbs.msu.edu