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While many travel to Southwest Florida to enjoy time in the sun and relax, there’s also an opportunity to perform random acts of kindness to ensure the area stays beautiful for all to enjoy. Volunteering may have additional benefits like meeting other like-minded visitors and learning something new.
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society Friends of the Refuge of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is always looking for volunteers to help with events and a variety of other tasks.
Organizations like the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation have a list of ways someone can volunteer. Be a trail guide, maintain a network of butterfly houses, and help with sea turtle conservation. These are just examples of the many ways to be kind to nature.
Help facilitate an educational program or camp with the Sanibel Sea School. Shell lovers may get a kick out of spending time volunteering at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.
Gopher tortoise sign on Sanibel Island. Helping protect the species is great way to volunteer.
Gopher tortoises are a protected species in Florida and the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, or CROW, offers opportunities for volunteers to assist with grazing of the animals. There are also other hands-on tasks like emergency rescue mission of wildlife.
Other outlets to lend a hand include the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Just want to perform a random act of kindness in nature? The list is vast from picking up and discarding litter on land and in the water. While out on the boat, it’s important to not throw anything overboard as it can impact the fragile eco-system.
Consider helping educate the public about conservation efforts and the small things anyone can do which will have an impact to the overall effort.
And yes, monetary contributions to your favorite nature-related causes are also counted as acts of kindness.
Getting involved as a nature volunteer in Southwest Florida is an act of kindness.
Whether you boat into the area for just a quick day trip, a week, or dock a season, there are many ways to be kind to the environment and have fun at the same time. Give our staff a call at 239-437-1600 and they can help answer questions about your particular volunteer interest or suggest one to you!
