Docent
Lincoln Park Zoo docents are specially trained volunteers who educate visitors about animals, wildlife and conservation. Help zoo visitors learn about the natural world and the importance of wildlife conservation while sharing your enthusiasm for animals as a docent. Interact with zoo visitors by engaging them in learning experiences through tours, curiosity carts, and animal handling. You'll also assist with formal Education Department programs and other activities. Time Committment: 4-5 hours on a set day each week for a minimum of 120 hours per year. A two year committment is required. Docents must be at least 18 years old. Training is offered in the fall each year.
Garden Volunteer
Literally watch your talents grow! Garden Volunteers cultivate Chicago's biggest back yard and maintain the zoo as an urban oasis by assisting the experienced landscape staff. Outdoor tasks include, but are not limited to: bed preparation, digging, watering, weeding, planting/transplanting, pruning, mulching, raking, seed collection and distribution, garden waste disposal, tool and garden cart clean-up.
Guest Services Volunteer
Guest Services Volunteers greet and orient zoo guests, answer general zoo questions, inform guests of available programs and activities, answer phone inquiries, handle stroller and wheelchair rentals, and other duties to make zoo guests feel welcome. Volunteers are stationed indoors year round and outdoors during the summer months.
Gift Shop Volunteer
Greet customers and answer their questions or direct them to appropriate zoo staff. Share information about environmentally sound wildlife products. Assist sales associates with store upkeep and displaying merchandise. Assist with stocking as needed. Direct visitor traffic in the stores. Learn about zoo news and events in order to answer questions.
Staff Assistant
Assist zoo staff with a variety of office-related projects, including data entry, filing, preparing mailings, answering phones and more.
Special Events Volunteer
Assist with children's activities, greeting and directing visitors, and more at ZooLights Festival, SuperZooPicnic, Run for the Zoo, South Pond Clean Up and other events. Great opportunities to volunteer as individuals or as a group! Invite coworkers, friends and family to join you in supporting the zoo's special events.
South Pond Naturalist
Teach visitors about the ecology and wildlife of the South Pond as a South Pond Naturalist. Present hands-on activites, lead tours, and run activities to educate visitors about the following three focus areas: Water, Birds, and Pond Ecology. Naturalists are needed seven days per week for 3 hour shifts (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) from April - October. Training will take place in April. Age Minimum: 18 years old.
Farm-in-the-Zoo Volunteers
Greet Farm-in-the-Zoo visitors and teach them about farm animals and farm life. Lead talks, hands-on activities, and up-close animal presentations. Volunteers are needed May - October for weekly shifts (9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.) on a set day for a minimum of 3 shifts per month. A two day training class will be offered in May and June. Age minimum: 18 years old.