Volunteers needed for elephant seal field trips in San Simeon
Applications due June 10 for docent program
– Hearst San Simeon State Park is seeking volunteers to serve as school group docents for field trips at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.
Applications for the volunteer positions must be submitted by June 10.
School group docents lead K-12 students on guided field trips at the rookery. Each school year, more than 1,200 students participate in the free program, which is led by California State Parks. Docents guide small groups of up to 20 students and chaperones through curriculum-aligned field trips.
Programs last one to two hours and include observing elephant seals from the bluff and participating in hands-on, science-based activities.
The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is the largest mainland rookery for elephant seals. The animals visit the beach twice each year, once to give birth and breed, and again to molt and grow a new coat. The rest of the year, they migrate long distances and dive deep to avoid predators and find food.
California State Parks, in collaboration with Friends of the Elephant Seal, provides training for volunteers. Training includes one Zoom call, two in-person sessions, independent study, and observing a school program. Mandatory training sessions are scheduled for July 9 via Zoom, as well as July 17 and Sept. 11 in person.
Volunteers must be able to stand for more than two hours, walk on uneven surfaces, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Ideal candidates are those who enjoy working with children, have an interest in wildlife, are comfortable with public speaking, and enjoy being outdoors.
