Friends of Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Opportunities
The Zoo Needs You!

The FOZ organization invites you to become involved in its work in wildlife education. The FOZ are the Friends of Wildlife Conservation, the docent organization at the Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park.

The word docent is derived from the Latin word meaning, "to teach." Zoo Docents are special volunteers who are committed to educating schoolchildren and the general public about our natural world and the need for conservation. Enthusiastic adults, 18 or older, who can work weekdays or weekends, for a minimum period of two years, are prime candidates for the FOZ program. Weekday docents work one day per week; weekend docents work one day every other weekend.

As part of the Education Department the FOZ:

• Offer free guided tours of the zoo exhibits to school children in elementary grades and other organized groups,
• Work as exhibit interpreters in the Children's Zoo, Africa Plaza, Wild Asia Plaza, and the Elephant House,
• Deliver mini-talks about specific exhibits, display animal bio-facts, and provide visitors with valuable information,
• Assist the Education Department with their formal environmental education programs,
• Assist at special events, and
• Staff the Zoo Center Information Booth.

Docents enjoy free admission to all the zoos and parks of the Wildlife Conservation Society. They receive continuing education courses on wildlife and biology, the monthly Docent NewZ, and discounts at the WCS facilities' gift shops.

To become a Friend of Wildlife Conservation, candidates need to pass an interview and successfully complete a 6-month training course. To apply, complete the application form and return it to the Friends of Wildlife Conservation or telephone (718) 220-5141 for more information. The deadline for applications for participation in any year's program is April 30. Once your application is accepted, you will be invited to an informational session and arrangements for an interview will be made.

Click here for a volunteer application form.

The Training Program

The goals of the 6-month training program are:

• to acquaint the trainee with the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Friends of Wildlife Conservation;
• to orient the trainee to the facilities and policies of the Bronx Zoo;
• to help the trainee become knowledgeable about the many animals and exhibits of the Bronx Zoo;
• to allow the trainee to feel comfortable as a member of the volunteer organization; and
• to provide the skills necessary for interacting with the visitors to the Bronx Zoo.

The staff of the Education Department and the members of the Friends of Wildlife Conservation will provide the trainee with the means to achieve these goals through:

• the opportunity to observe volunteers in action;
• documented exhibit visits;
• 16 days of classes and exhibit tours led by animal department curators and keepers; and
• mentoring by experienced volunteers.

The Training Program Schedule

The Friends of Wildlife Conservation will provide the components of the training program - opportunities for observation, exhibit visits, classes and mentoring- according to the following schedule:

• SERVICE DAYS
  During the months of September, October and December, trainees will participate in a service day schedule. With input from the trainee, the Coordinator will assign each trainee to a service day for the opportunity to observe volunteers in action and to complete the assigned exhibit visits.

Weekday service day assignments will be for Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Weekend service day assignments will be for Saturday or Sunday.

• CLASS DAYS
  All class days for both weekday and weekend trainees will be on Sundays from 9:45 am - 4:30 pm. There will be 16 class days occurring over the months of August, October, November, January and February.

Calendar for 2003-2004

Unit 1: Sunday Training Classes  from August 10 - 24, 2003
Classes on topics including the history of the Bronx Zoo, the international wildlife conservation projects of WCS, and the Species Survival Plan as well as a mentor-led tour of the Bronx Zoo will meet on Sundays from 9:45 am - 4:30 pm.

Unit 2: Service Days from August 25 - October 11, 2003
Weekday trainees will participate one day a week for 6 hours a day, and weekend trainees will participate every other Saturday or Sunday for 7 hours a day. Activities will include exhibit visits and observations of volunteers in action.

Unit 3: Sunday Training Classes from October 12 - November 23, 2003
Classes on topics including basic concepts of zoology, wildlife conservation, animal habitats, and basic skills for exhibit interpretation as well as curator/keeper-led tours of exhibits will meet on  Sundays from 9:45 am - 4:30 pm.

Unit 4: Service Days from November 24 - December 19, 2003
Weekday trainees will participate one day a week for 6 hours a day, and weekend trainees will participate every other Saturday or Sunday for 7 hours a day. Activities will include exhibit visits and observations of volunteers in action.

Unit 5: Sunday Training Classes from  January 11 - February 15, 2004
Classes on topics including taxonomy, reptiles and amphibians, birds, mammals, with special attention to primates, and animal nutrition as well as curator/keeper-led tours of exhibits and a tour of the Wildlife Health Center will meet on the Sundays from 9:45 am - 4:30 pm.

Graduation Luncheon: Sunday, February 22, 2004

Copyright 2003, Wildlife Conservation Society, all rights reserved.
Last revised February 11, 2003.