Volunteer

Seeds and Systems 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 their use of available habitat, and investigate factors that affect them.

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 by volunteering in a lab. 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 for leading an enjoyable tour.

Full assignment description: Manor House docent/special events