Animal Care

Animal Care volunteers work with the staff naturalists to care for live animals.

Calvert Steward volunteers feed the turtles, frog, bugs, and mice housed at Flag Ponds Nature Park. Other tasks include cleaning cages, scrubbing turtles, and weighing food for the raptors.

Some volunteers assist with education and outreach activities that involve the captive animals.

Training & Qualifications:

• Animal Care (all animals except raptors): Ages 10 and up with adult  New volunteers should register for an Animal Care Training Opportunity. As they accompany staff, they will learn how to clean cages, feed the animals and handle them. Once trained, volunteers can edit the "Qualifications" section of their profile. After the program manager has verified their training, qualified Calvert Stewards can respond to be the volunteer for the specific dates and times listed. 
• Children between ages 10 and 18 must have attended animal care training and must be accompanied by a supervising adult who has also completed animal care training.

Other Skills or Knowledge: 

• Experience working with captive animals is a plus
• Able to carry a 10 pound bucket of water
• Willing to get dirty
• Maintain accurate records