Volunteer Project Catalog
Wildlife Program
This project will focus on repairing and improving existing fence lines to clearly mark the property boundary and help manage access. Volunteers will assist with stretching and re-hanging usable sections of old wire, installing new wire where needed, and setting T-posts to support the fence. The goal of this work is to better define the boundary line and prevent unauthorized vehicle access, directing traffic only to designated areas and parking lots. No prior fencing experience is required—just a willingness to work outdoors and help protect the site. Dry camping will be an option for those that would like to participate for multiple days. This project is eligible for Master Hunter hours.
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
Volunteer training and fieldwork opportunities for cultural resources
How you can help:
Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH)
Welcome to the Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) project page! As of March 4, 2026, we are still working to migrate volunteer operations to the new Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) VolunteerMatters system. If you are a new volunteer, you can get started by learning more about our volunteer activities and complete FISH registration at https://www.issaquahfish.org/volunteer/. Please do not add yourself to a project position, sign up for a shift, or log hours. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
How you can help:
Outreach & Education
Help WDFW staff pack welcome packets for our Habitat at Home and Love Cats, Love Wildlife programs. Packing parties are at the WDFW Ridgefield office. These are indoor, low-impact activities with seating provided. Reach out to Claire Kerwin with questions. If you'd like to participate but the shifts don't work for you, please contact us and we may be able to find a better date. Relevant programs: Habitat at Home: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/habitat-at-home Love Cats, Love Wildlife: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/cats-wildlife
How you can help:
Hunter Education
This opportunity is specifically for hunter education applicants in Region 4 who have not completed the process yet. This will cover hours for the Pre-Service training and the teaching portion. You MUST have an application in with the department to be added to this opportunity. If you have not yet submitted an application and would like to become an instructor, please email me at jacqueline.mcbride@dfw.wa.gov or go here for more information and the application https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/education/how-to-become-instructor. ***Once certified, your teaching hours will be recorded and tracked in Kalkomey, not here.
How you can help:
Hunter Education
This opportunity is specifically for hunter education applicants in Region 4 who have not completed the process yet. This will cover hours for the Pre-Service training and the teaching portion. You MUST have an application in with the department to be added to this opportunity. If you have not yet submitted an application and would like to become an instructor, please email me at bill.montomery@dfw.wa.gov This also goes for Master Hunters in the process of becoming Hunter Education Instructors. ***Once certified, your teaching hours will be recorded and tracked in Kalkomey, not here.
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
The Chehalis Unit is a popular spot for fishing, duck hunting, and taking a stroll near Elma, WA. Here you can expect to see open wetland, riparian shrub, and meadow habitats. Unfortunately, this site has a long history of dumping. This is where we need your help. We are looking for volunteers to help us keep this area clean of litter so that this remains a place where wildlife and visitors can thrive. As a volunteer you will be expected to pick up trash using gloves, trash grabbers, and trash bags. The trail at this site is compact. The parking lot and road leading into this unit are in rough shape so be careful of potholes when driving in. Trash can sometimes be in easy to grab spots and other times buried in thorny blackberry vines. Any help with litter clean-up is appreciated regardless of if you can get trash in hard-to-reach places. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the volunteer supervisor. Thank you for volunteering with WDFW, we look forward to meeting you! For more information about the Chehalis Unit and a map of all parking lots visit our website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas/chehalis-wildlife-area-unit
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
The Chinook Unit is a popular spot for pheasant, duck, elk, and deer hunting in Pacific County, WA. Here you can expect to see seasonal wetland and estuary habitats. We are looking for volunteers to help us keep the area free of litter so that this remains a place where wildlife and visitors can thrive. As a volunteer you will be expected to pick up trash using gloves, trash grabbers, and trash bags. The trail at this site is compact. The parking lot is gravel. Trash can sometimes be in easy to grab spots and other times buried in thorny blackberry vines. Any help with litter clean-up is appreciated regardless of if you can get trash in hard-to-reach places. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the volunteer supervisor. Thank you for volunteering with WDFW, we look forward to meeting you! For more information about the Chinook Unit and a map of all parking areas visit our website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas/chinook-wildlife-area-unit
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
The Johns River Unit is a popular spot for fishing, dog walking and bird viewing near Westport. Here you can expect to see estuary and riparian forest habitats. We are looking for volunteers to help keep the area free of litter so that this remains a place where wildlife and visitors can thrive. As a volunteer you will be expected to pick up trash using gloves, trash grabbers, and trash bags. The trail at this site is compact. The parking lot is gravel. Trash can sometimes be in easy to grab spots and other times buried in thorny blackberry vines. Any help with litter clean-up is appreciated regardless of if you can get trash in hard-to-reach places. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the volunteer supervisor. Thank you for volunteering with WDFW, we look forward to meeting you! For more information about the Johns River Unit and a map of all parking areas visit our website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas/johns-river-wildlife-area-unit
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
Opportunities improve or restore habitat in the LT Murray Wildlife Area. This position may plan, coordinate, and/or supervise the work of volunteers to support program activities and agency objectives.
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
Your help is needed to improve elk habitat on the Mudflow Unit of Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area! WDFW and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) will be working together to control invasive weeds, primarily scotch broom and hawkweed. These weeds outcompete native shrubs and grasses that are used as forage for the St. Helens Elk herd. Equipment will be provided, but please bring sturdy shoes, work gloves, and rain gear. There will be a potluck lunch at this event, with planning and coordination to follow. Dry camping on Weyerhaeuser property near the site (No Recreational Permit will be required), is an option for those that would like to participate for multiple days. You do not need to be a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to participate. This project is eligible for Master Hunter hours.
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
This project assists with outreach and the closure of Rat Island, part of the Marrowstone Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area, during summers. Volunteer as a docent to help inform beachgoers about the wildlife that uses Rat Island and the reasons for summer closures to the public.
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
Be a part of this volunteer-led initiative in Sequim to restore an area to a diverse oak habitat. Just north of Carrie Blake Park, the Bell Creek Wildlife Area Unit was planted with over 2,000 oak trees in the early 2000s by many volunteers. Ongoing work includes the removal of predator-prevention cages for trees that are outgrowing them, and work to restore the understory of the area.
How you can help:
Wildlife Program
Spokane Audubon Society is partnering with the wildlife area to conduct annual breeding bird surveys to monitor habitat health. Working with Spokane Audubon volunteers, wildlife area staff selected 6 transect routes to conduct point-count bird surveys. There are 5 point stations on each route. The routes encompass a variety of habitats and altitudes. Two routes will be surveyed each year with each pair repeated on a 3-year cycle. Each season, there are 3 surveys of each route, 2 in June and 1 in July, separated by approximately 2 weeks.
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