VOLUNTEER
Becoming part of the solution has never been more fun! Volunteer for Explore Ecology and make a difference. Volunteers are our valuable partners who assist in all areas of Explore Ecology programming. You make our continuing service to the community possible. Adults, high school and college students, business groups, and those needing community service hours are welcome.
Email us for more information.
ART FROM SCRAP
BEACH CLEANUPS
SCHOOL GARDENS
PHOTOGRAPHY
& MORE
& MORE
Click on your desired volunteer activity for more information
Do you love being on the beach, taking care of the ocean and environment, and helping to clean up marine debris? Our Monthly Cleanups take place at Arroyo Burro Beach, one of Santa Barbara’s most gorgeous beaches. Beach Cleanups are a wonderful way for families, businesses, and groups to volunteer together.
Beach cleanups are on the 2nd Sunday of the Month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Meet at the Watershed Resource Center at 10:00 am to sign in and pick up supplies.
Do you want to learn more about reuse and waste reduction? Do you support creativity and the arts? Do you see the potential in reuse materials and love turning trash into treasure? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!
The Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store is looking for volunteers to work in our retail store: stocking, sorting, organizing materials, and assisting staff. Volunteer shifts are Wednesdays through Saturdays either 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
We would love to have you join our team as a member of our fundraising and event planning committee and help us plan and coordinate our events. If you are passionate about arts and ecology, we are sure to have an event that would interest you. We host one to two fundraisers a year, numerous art shows, and Makers’ Markets. We look forward to dreaming up some new events with you!
Spend time in the garden this summer by volunteering with Explore Ecology’s School Gardens program. We are looking for volunteers to assist our Garden Educators with summer school lessons in the garden.
Community Service Hours are available.
If you like going to coffee shops, smoothie stores, and other places with bulletin boards, we need you to post our event and fundraiser flyers around town.
Isn’t it time to show your favorite beach or creek some love? Join us for Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23rd from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. An international day of volunteer action, Coastal Cleanup Day offers community members a chance to give back to the beautiful beaches that make Santa Barbara County such a wonderful place to live. Get outside, enjoy nature, and remove marine debris from our beaches and waterways.
Volunteers of all ages can participate at any of the 2023 cleanup sites. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged. If you can’t make it to one of the cleanup locations on Saturday, the 23rd, you can do a self led cleanup at anytime during the month of September and your litter data will be included in the 2023 Coastal Cleanup Day results!
Please select the site you plan on volunteering at when registering. Each site will have a Beach Captain on hand to provide necessary instructions and supplies. All volunteers are encouraged to bring their own reusable gloves, bags or buckets, and water bottles to reduce waste and decrease the plastic footprint of the cleanup. Click here to register.
The Art From Scrap Gallery needs your assistance at art openings and receptions throughout the year. If you love assemblage and environmentally-themed art, mingling with artists, socializing, and food service this could be the volunteer opportunity for you. We are looking for volunteers to pass out refreshments, pour wine (must be over 21), and help staff with set up and take down. Events usually occur on a Friday or Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00.
POSTPONED DUE TO COVID Our Summer Camps are exciting and educational! Work with our experienced staff of environmental educators to lead students in activities that include beach and nature explorations, environmental concept games, cooking, nature crafts, tie-dye, and more! Counselor-in-Training (CIT) programs for students ages 13 to 17 cost $75.00 per week. College Internships are also available.
If you like engaging with the public, educating about the environment, and creating art out of reuse materials, this is the perfect volunteer job for you. Explore Ecology and our Creative Reuse Program, Art From Scrap, offer the Santa Barbara community free art and environmental education projects at various events throughout the year. This is a super fun and social volunteer opportunity- a nice way to be outside enjoying the day while also supporting a great cause.
Volunteer for Earth Day on April 29th and 30th! We are looking for volunteers to help staff our booth at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival.
Duties include: Interacting with the public and providing information about our organization * Taking part in hands-on art and environmental education activities * Representing Explore Ecology in a professional manner.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about sustainability and who enjoy helping kids make Art From Scrap projects.
We are looking for photographers who would like to build their portfolios, practice their skills, and support environmental education and the arts. We need photos of our fundraising events, art workshops, Creative ReUse Store, environmental education classes, and more. If you’re a creative shutterbug, this is the opportunity for you.
Eva grew up in Berkeley, CA and is a recent graduate of UCSB, where she studied Aquatic Biology and German Language. During her undergrad, Eva worked as an aquarist at UCSB’s Research Experience and Education Facility (the REEF), where she managed the aquarium facility and found a love for science communication and conservation.
Phillip is a recent Westmont College graduate and a proud member of the inaugural class of Environmental Studies students from Westmont. Phillip is excited to be on the Explore Ecology teaching team because he loves to inspire others about nature as his mentors have done for him. 
Ellie Cotter is a recent graduate of UCSB who studied Environmental Studies with a minor in Philosophy. Ellie learned the importance of community based action, spending her years interning and volunteering for local groups, such as Coal Oil Point Reserve and North Campus Open Space. 
Joey is grateful to have grown up with an abundance of nature around him and is happiest in the water or in the sun. From a young age, Joey felt a responsibility to take care of the Earth in return for all the ways she has taken care of him. This led Joey to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies at UCSB where he furthered his knowledge of how different human societies have conceptualized and interacted with the natural world throughout history.
Rachel Palmer
Alyssa grew up on Long Island, New York and spent a lot of her childhood and early adulthood exploring the mountains, meadows, and beaches throughout the East Coast. These formative experiences in nature, along with impactful mentors and coursework in undergraduate and graduate school, inspired her to pursue a career connecting youth with the natural world. From the deciduous forests of New England to the shores of the Big Island of Hawaii, Alyssa has spent over 10 years working with youth of all ages on urban and rural farms, in school gardens, and in beautiful, wild places. Alyssa is passionate about facilitating meaningful experiences for youth that deepen their connections to self, community, and the land and she believes that school gardens are the perfect place to do this. 
Nicole is a mixed media artist and vintage goods specialist who has been managing Art from Scrap since 2020.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
I love coming to work and getting pets from everyone.
Ian Docktor
Emma Serr is an artist and student studying Studio Art at SBCC.
Lydia
Iliana Jacobo is a Garden Educator at three different school sites. Iliana has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Sustainability and Social Justice and a minor in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University.
Lindsay Johnson
MELISSA BROOKS
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them.
Luz developed a strong sense of devotion for working with diverse populations after studying Sociology at UCSB. Her background in social work includes case management for various non-profits, experience with trauma informed care, and developing/teaching curriculum for school garden education & art resiliency. 
Sarah is very passionate about being involved in the outdoors, as well as expressing creativity. She grew up in the Bay Area learning to garden with her mother and going hiking, camping, and backpacking with her family regularly. While gardening with her mother, she grew a deep connection with the processes of ecosystems and food production, so Sarah believes it can be incredibly beneficial for kids to get hands-on experience in nature. 
Sadie
Clare
Chloe grew up in nearby Ojai, CA, which helped shape her passion for living a green lifestyle and conserving wildlife. 
Aimee moved to Santa Barbara from Asheville, North Carolina. She grew up visiting her Grandma in Ojai and wanted to take the opportunity to be closer to her. By lucky accident, she has also found that she is in love with beautiful Santa Barbara! Aimee’s background prior to her Garden Educator position was in Animal Agriculture and she had a layman’s interest in keeping a garden. The Central Coast is a completely different ball game as far as growing produce and she has greatly enjoyed the challenge, as well as taking every opportunity to grow and learn with her students. She loves giving students opportunities to grow lots of food that is delicious right off the plant, as well as learning about the entire ecosystem of their school gardens. She hopes her teaching feels student-led and informed. 
Angie was born and raised in Santa Barbara. She studied Psychology at San Diego State and was a social worker in San Francisco for five years before she discovered her love of growing food. Angie learned how to grow vegetables with the Green Urban Lunch Box in Salt Lake City and then moved back to the Bay Area to start farming. 