volunteer information
Join The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Volunteer Team
Work with passionate and dedicated like-minded people to keep our mission thriving. The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center is committed to providing the most efficient use of manpower on matching a volunteer’s talents and skills to appropriate services to be rendered. Volunteers assist with educational programming, fieldwork, daily care of rehab patients and avian ambassadors, administrative tasks, and more. Our goal is to provide volunteers with rewarding learning opportunities and experiences that advance raptor conservation through education & training, land restoration, and raptor rehabilitation.
A Responsible Program of Volunteer Participation
The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center must develop and maintain a responsible program of volunteer participation because of the following:
- As a non-profit, the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center does not have sufficient resources to meet all financial and service needs.
- It has been repeatedly demonstrated that volunteers significantly enhance, expand and upgrade service. With effective recruitment, screening, training and supervision, volunteers perform nearly any task effectively and responsibly.
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Volunteer opportunities include:
- Education & Training: clean avian ambassador enclosures, raptor food preparation, feed avian ambassadors, support the operations of resident mouse house, present at education programs, lead trail walks, and support ambassador training (with previous experience and/or training).
- Rehabilitation: support the rehabilitation needs of sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey, includes handling and treating patients (with training and approval). Additional responsibilities include laundry, cleaning hospital/clinic surfaces and flooring, washing kennels and maintaining outdoor flight cages.
- Park Maintenance: maintain trail system, amphitheater, lake overlook, bridges, and lawn areas.
- Conservation and Restoration: weed, hand-pulling/digging, herbicide treatments with hand-held and backpack sprayers and tree and shrub removals to protect and restore The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center’s 66-acre property.
- Operations and Maintenance: support regular campus maintenance and special building projects.
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General Requirements:
General requirements for Blackland Prairie Raptor Center volunteers:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be willing to commit to a regular schedule
- Must pass a criminal background check
- All NEW volunteers are required to attend a new volunteer orientation.
- Animal Care Volunteers must be willing to commit to a regular schedule.
volunteer information
Group Volunteering
Many much-needed larger service projects by organizations and corporations have helped BPRC. Volunteering as a group is fun and provides a great sense of accomplishment. Our projects will be outdoors and can be done any time of year – weather permitting.
Types of groups we have worked with:
- Faith-based organizations
- Boy Scouts
- Girl Scouts
- Navigators
- Businesses
- Community groups
Group volunteers often help with:
- Landscaping (weeding, planting, mulching)
- Cage work (adding gravel)
- Maintaining trails (spreading gravel, raking leaves, trimming overhanging plants)
- Updating enclosures (repairing fencing, painting, building new perches)
Group Volunteering Details:
- Groups can be any size but we would plan the type of work based on the number of volunteers.
- All participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of service.
- BPRC gives scheduling priority to volunteer groups that can donate the cost of materials or other items necessary to complete projects.
- Please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Marla Layne, at [email protected] to discuss the options and dates that would work for your group.
Current Volunteers
Thank You To Our Current Volunteers!
Our volunteers have my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment and dedication to our mission. Your selfless contributions have made an immeasurable impact on our organization and the communities we serve.
It is truly heartwarming to witness the passion and enthusiasm with which you approach your volunteer roles. Whether you are working directly within one of our mission pillars, helping with administrative tasks, or participating in fundraising efforts, your efforts consistently exceed our expectations. Your energy and commitment are the driving force behind our success.
Your willingness to give your time, skills, and resources exemplifies the spirit of community and solidarity that we hold dear at Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. You are not merely volunteers; you are ambassadors of positive change, and the impact of your work extends far beyond our organization’s walls. Your support enables us to reach new heights and pursue our goals with even greater determination.
— LAURA JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Support Blackland Prairie Raptor Center
Your support makes our rehabilitation, conservation, and education programs possible at BPRC!
Donate or volunteer your time with us below.
