Do you love birds? Volunteering with Hawks Aloft is an excellent opportunity to share your love of birds with your community. All volunteers are required to attend a new volunteer orientation before beginning. The next volunteer orientation will be held in October and it will introduce new volunteers to all aspects of Hawks Aloft. If interested in participating, please fill out the volunteer inquiry form below or you can reach us by phone at 505-828-9455.
A veteran volunteer helps us at a photography shoot event
Currently, we are seeking volunteers for the following:
- Mews cleaning & repairs
- Outreach & education events
- Raptor Rescue & transporter
- Creating & editing videos of our education birds
Volunteer cleaning the mews
Mews Cleaning
Help give back to our educational ambassadors by becoming part of the cleaning crew! Each week, 4-5 volunteers are needed to help clean mats, change water pans, and rake the enclosures for 8 of our ambassadors. These weekly cleanings happen on weekdays and last approximately 2 hours. Given time and experience, volunteers may participate in raptor handling that will prepare them for further volunteering in educational programs and outreach events.
Mews Repairs
Our educational ambassadors are kept in wood slat enclosures called mews. These mews become worn over time and require maintenance including, but not limited to, replacing locks, painting, replacing astro turf, evening the ground, and replacing broken materials. Materials will be provided, but tools may be supplied by the volunteer depending on the project.
Ambassador handling begins with small owls
Outreach Events
Hawks Aloft regularly participate in outreach events to promote the conservation and preservation of birds of prey. Events vary in size, time, and location significantly throughout the year. For these events, volunteers can help set up the space or take a shift educating the public on birds of prey. Outreach volunteers interested in learning how to handle the educational ambassadors during the programs will be required to complete at least 12 hours of mews cleaning before beginning their training.
Education Programs
A volunteer teaching about feather adaptations in different raptor species
Hawks Aloft facilitates youth and adult programs throughout the year with both single and multi-visit programs. Education volunteers assist the education coordinator with setting up the programs, handling the education ambassadors, and teaching material to the participants. Educational volunteers interested in learning how to handle the educational ambassadors during the programs will be required to complete at least 12 hours of mews cleaning before beginning their training.
