Group of 7-20 Volunteer Project (2026 March - June)

Community Group Volunteer Project

This opportunity is for groups of 7-20 volunteers.

Oakland Zoo works with a variety of community groups (corporate, school, church, service, family) to complete habitat restoration, animal enrichment, and landscape management projects. We want to ensure that our animals are comfortable in their habitats and our grounds are well maintained. Staff and volunteers work together to make this happen! "Habitat restoration" might sound like a fancy way of saying weeding, but many of those weeds are like candy to our animals. They literally feast on the fruits of your labor.

Please note, you will NOT be working direclty with animals.

Just one coordinator needs to sign up for your entire group. When you sign up, you are assuming the role of group coordinator. For requests for volunteer days in June, please allow up to three weeks to receive a confirmation email.

For November and December dates, please note your project may be cancelled or rescheduled in the case of inclement weather and Zoo closure.

Sign-Up Instructions for Group Coordinators

1. Request a volunteer date on Eventbrite by checking out the day you are requesting.
2. Receive confirmation that your volunteer date has been reserved.
3. Two weeks before the event, provide a full list of volunteers and their emails.
4. Volunteers will receive a waiver form via email. Help ensure every volunteer has their waiver form filled out and keep track of any changes in attendance.
5. Two days before the event, confirm the number of volunteers you are bringing. By signing up as the coordinator for your group, you assume responsibility for providing an accurate number. We work hard to prepare projects and materials appropriate for your group size. We want to make sure we plan appropriately and your group has a positive experience completing your project.

Info: All Volunteers must arrive by 8:45 AM. Please plan to arrive earlier to park and walk to the gathering location. Volunteers get free parking for the day. Due to the group traveling together to project locations throughout the Zoo, we are not able to accommodate individuals who arrive later than 8:45 AM.

Info: Volunteers will check in with Volunteer Services and receive an introduction to volunteering at Oakland Zoo. You will be introduced to your project lead from Animal Care or Horticulture and head into the Zoo. The Zoo is not open to the public at this time, and late volunteers will not be able to enter on their own. We are not be able to accommodate late volunteers.

Info: Volunteer projects range from habitat restoration and landscape management to building animal enrichment materials. Staff and volunteers work together to make sure our animals are comfortable in their habitats and our grounds are well maintained. Thank you for your hard work! (Note: you will NOT be working directly with animals.)

Info: You are welcome to visit the Zoo for the rest of the day after project completion. Volunteers do not pay admission for their volunteer day.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Oakland Zoo, Main Entrance, Oakland, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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