By Carly Meyers
Special to In Motion
While students weigh their options on how to accumulate volunteer hours, hundreds of hurt turtles wash up on our beaches. These volunteer hours can be earned while simultaneously saving lives.
Volunteer hours are needed for scholarships, internships and job positions. When volunteering at the Marine Science Center volunteers can choose to spend their time in education, aquarium maintenance, birds, the gift shop or turtle rehabilitation. There are no strict hours, and volunteers are welcomed to lend a helping hand whenever is convenient for them.
Shell Webster, Head of the Education Department, has worked at the Marine Science Center for four years. The education department helps educate guests about any of the exhibits, animals, environment and care given to the inhabitants. Presentations are given on any of the reptiles, stingrays and birds while also having the opportunity to feed and care for the animals.
“Volunteering not only builds knowledge for future jobs, but gives people the confidence, people skills and public speaking skills which are crucial for any career path one would choose.” Webster said. “It also gives you a good feeling knowing you are being a part of shaping the future and helping endangered animals and protecting our environment.”
To become a volunteer at the Marine Science Center applicants must be at least 16 years of age and attend one volunteer training assembly. These are given on the first Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. and last for an hour. Applicants will mesh well with the center if they’re outgoing, energetic and enjoy talking to people while continuing to learn new things each day, though it is not required. The staff does suggest you have a love for nature, the environment and conservation, as well as not minding to get your hands dirty when needed.
Madison Savage, a freshman at Florida State University, has volunteered at the center for the past two years. She is currently working towards a major in Chemical Science.
“Working at the center gave me great hands-on experience learning about animals and science.” Savage said. “I think I enjoy volunteering here because many of my interests are explored. Anything having to do with animals or nature draws me in.”
One of the main goals of the Marine Science Center is sea turtle rehabilitation. Since it’s opening in 2002, the Marine Science Center has cared for over 8,000 turtles including sea turtles, freshwater turtles and land tortoises. Volunteers will get a hands-on experience in helping these turtles swim towards recovery. To work in turtles, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and be able to commit to at least six months of volunteering. The main task of the turtle volunteers is animal husbandry. This includes the cleaning of tanks and preparation of food. The tanks, which are actually pools, house the sick and injured turtles under rehabilitation. Guests can look down and see the pools from the terrace above, but only staff and turtle volunteers are permitted in the rehabilitation area.
Laura Albert is the volunteer coordinator as well as an educator at the center. Guests can often find her with Bubba, an eastern screech owl, on her arm. She urges all students with a love of nature and animals to come earn their volunteer hours in an exciting way.
“It is an enjoyable experience to volunteer here because you know you are doing something positive to help the environment and have the possibility to reach a lot of people with this message.”
The Marine Science Center offers a way to earn volunteer hours while enjoying and taking pride in your work. Whether talking with guests, feeding the stingrays or helping an ill turtle, volunteers make all the difference.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the beaming smiles of the kids who visit the center and knowing that this was the best experience of their life so far and that they are leaving here with the knowledge about how they can protect Volusia County’s Wildlife and our environment,” Webster said.
Shell Webster (Education Department Head) – (386) 304-5529
Laura Albert (Volunteer Coordinator/ Educator) – (386) 304-5545
Madison Savage (Volunteer & Freshman at FSU) – (386) 576-3376