Zoo volunteers are an integral part of the Zoo, contributing their time and energy to the Zoo’s education and environmental mission. Whether it is going out on Zoomobiles with the Zoo Educators, talking to visitors, caring for the Zoo grounds, or helping out with the animals, our volunteers make a difference to both our visitors and the staff.

Below is information on the different volunteer opportunities and how to get started. Read more to find out if being a Zoo volunteer is for you.

Zoo Friends:
Zoo Friends help staff special events, greet visitors and share educational information about habitats. All prospective Zoo Friends must be at least 18 years of age, complete an application form and interview process and attend a one-day training class. Training classes held throughout the year. Please call the volunteer office at (203) 330-6046 for more information.

Zoo Gardeners:
Zoo Gardeners help the Zoo maintain and expand its botanical collection in the Greenhouse, outdoor beds and some animal habitats. Zoo Gardeners may also help with special events and help educate our public on horticultural matters. 
All prospective must be at least 18 years of age, complete an application form and interview process and attend a one day training process. Classes are held twice a year. Please call the volunteer office at  (203) 330-6046 for more information.

Zoo Docents:
Zoo Docents are the Zoo’s volunteer educators. Docents help organize special events, assist in our education program and interact with our public on all aspects of animal and environmental issues. To become a Zoo Docent, volunteers must be a Zoo Friend or a Zoo Gardener in good standing and complete Docent classes. Please call the volunteer office at  (203) 330-6046.

Interns:
Interns assist our staff while learning valuable life lessons about their possible career choices. Click here to read more about internship opportunities. 

Community Groups:
If you are part of a civic organization that's looking for a unique environment for a service project, please call our Volunteer Office at (203) 330-6046.

YOUTH OPPURTUNITIES 

Zoo Career Explorers:
Investigate Zoo Careers from animal care to development and marketing, from visitor services and maintenance to Zoo director. Teens, 14 – 18 interested in learning more about Zoos and Zoo careers are welcome to join Zoo Career Explorers.  Explorer members attend career workshops with hands-on activities, take part in job shadows, develop a public presentation and create a year-end project. This program is a hybrid of on-line and in person fun and learning. Program fee of $120 covers all project materials, t-shirt and other costs.  Please click here to read more about the program before applying. 

Conservation Discovery Corps:
Get involved with local conservation education and field work.  Qualified high school students will have the opportunity to work side by side with field biologists, study the role of zoos in conservation and help educate the zoo’s visitors.  This is a year-long program with the opportunity for greatest involvement during the summer months.  Applications accepted through January 12th each calendar year – Training starts in February. Please click here to read more about the program.