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Volusia County volunteer programs
Thousands of residents are making positive changes in our community by
lending their time and talents through Volusia County’s volunteer
programs. Volunteers rescue stranded sea turtles, clean river banks,
help prevent crime, assist library staff, serve on advisory boards, and
more. Read on to see how you can become a Volusia County volunteer.
Advisory
Boards
Volusia County Government has 30
advisory boards composed of citizen volunteers who are appointed by the
Volusia County Council. These boards serve an essential role in the
policy-making process by providing the county council with in-depth
assessments of issues related to their area of expertise. Qualified
citizens are encouraged to apply to become a board member by completing
an application available in the county manager's office or online at
countycouncil/advisory.htm.
Daytona
Beach International Airport
Airport Ambassadors
Friendly volunteers greet passengers, answer general
questions, give out flight information, offer hotel and taxi
information, and point out area sights.
Contact: Pat O’Brien, 386-248-8030, ext. 8318, or
pobrien@co.volusia.fl.us
Central Services
Facilities
Volunteers enter data and work orders, file records, and
perform other projects as assigned.
Contact: George Baker, 386-254-1595, ext. 1850, or
gbaker@co.volusia.fl.us
Fleet Management
Volunteers pick up and deliver vehicles and auto parts, enter
data and work orders, file records, and perform other projects as
assigned.
Contact: George Baker, 386-254-1595, ext. 1850, or
gbaker@co.volusia.fl.us
Rose Garden Society
Members tend to the rose bushes near the county’s Information
Technology building in DeLand.
Contact: George Baker, 386-254-1595, ext. 1850, or
gbaker@co.volusia.fl.us
Environmental Management
Adopt-a-Beach
More than 150 volunteers, including families and
organizations, commit to cleaning trash along their favorite mile of
beach. A clean beach not only is pleasant for us, but also is safer for
wildlife! With support and supplies, groups clean their mile at least
four times a year.
For more information, visit
environmental/natural_resources/seaturtles/adopt.htm.
Contact: Stacey Bell, 386-238-4716 or
sbell@co.volusia.fl.us
Adopt-an-Estuary
This volunteer group focuses on the health of Volusia
County’s estuaries by documenting estuary plants, animals and
environmental conditions. Volunteers also photograph, measure and record
changes in estuaries. Participants should be at least 16 and willing to
commit to monitoring once every three months.
For more information, visit
www.volusiaestuaries.org
Contact: Georgia Zern, 386-736-5927, ext. 2839, or
gzern@co.volusia.fl.us
Counter Invasive Agents (CIA)
This group of volunteers removes exotic invasive plants from
public areas. Volunteers receive information on invasive plants. The
core group of 12 - 15 volunteers includes master gardeners, master
naturalists and Native Plant Society members. Hundreds of other
volunteers have come out for various events.
For more information, visit
environmental/environet/volunteer/default.htm.
Contact: Georgia Zern, 386-736-5927, ext. 2839, or
gzern@co.volusia.fl.us
Gopher Trackers
The gopher tortoise needs your help. Gopher Trackers document
sightings of gopher tortoises and their burrows to help county staff
identify and protect gopher tortoises.
For more information, visit
environmental/environet/volunteer/default.htm.
Contact: Danielle Dangleman, 386-736-5927, ext. 2734, or
ddangleman@co.volusia.fl.us.
Manatee Watch
Nearly 150 volunteers report manatee sightings around the
county and take photos for identification, sketch scar patterns, and
record behavior. The information gathered provides vital manatee data
that helps protection efforts.
For more information, visit
environmental/natural_resources/manatees/watch.htm.
Contact: Georgia Zern, 386-736-5927, ext. 2839, or
gzern@co.volusia.fl.us
Monofilament Recovery and Recycling
This group, which has 60 volunteers, empties monofilament
bins once a month. They clean the line; remove hooks, bobbers and
sinkers; recycle the line; and record data. Monofilament fishing line
poses numerous threats to the environment, wildlife and humans.
For more information, visit
environmental/environet/volunteer/default.htm.
Contact: Georgia Zern, 386-736-5927, ext. 2839, or
gzern@co.volusia.fl.us
River, beach and spring clean-ups
More than 1,000 volunteers turn out each year to remove trash
from the beach, DeLeon Springs, and the banks of the Halifax/Indian and
St. Johns rivers.
For more information, visit
environmental/environet/volunteer/default.htm.
Contacts: Tom Carey, 386-736-5927, ext. 2073, or
tcarey@co.volusia.fl.us;
and Will Hobson, 386-736-5927, ext. 5823, or
whobson@co.volusia.fl.us
Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan
These volunteers assist Environmental Management staff during
the six months of sea turtle nesting season. Volunteers participate with
sea turtle nesting surveys and other wildlife monitoring and gain
experience with four-wheel drive vehicles, sub-meter GPS units, data
documentation and other program support efforts.
For more information, visit
environmental/environet/volunteer/default.htm.
Contact: Stacey Bell, 386-238-4716 or
sbell@co.volusia.fl.us
Washback Watchers
This team of more than 50 permitted volunteers is trained to
find and rescue young sea turtles that wash ashore due to heavy winds
and surf. Volunteers look for the sea turtles in seaweed deposits that
have been washed onto shore. The program is a partnership among Volusia
County’s Environmental Management Division, the Marine Science Center,
Beach Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Volusia
Turtle Patrol, Volusia Sea Turtle Society, and Ecological Associates.
For more information, visit
environmental/natural_resources/seaturtles/ww.htm.
Contact: Jennifer Winters, 386-238-4668 or
jwinters@co.volusia.fl.us
Watershed Action Volunteer (WAV) Program
This is a unique, cost-share partnership between the St.
Johns River Water Management District and Volusia County’s Environmental
Management Division. The WAV Program matches volunteers with fun and
unique ways to make a difference in their communities and conserve our
precious water resources.
For more information, visit
environmental/environet/volunteer/default.htm.
Contact: Will Hobson, 386-736-5927, ext. 5823, or
whobson@co.volusia.fl.us
Fire Services
Volunteer Firefighters
Volunteer firefighters respond to emergencies and help
extinguish fires, clean and care for equipment, complete and maintain
reports, and assist with community presentations. They may be tasked to
drive fire apparatus, operate pumps, assist with EMS/rescue, and provide
support services. Fire Police volunteers manage public access to
emergency scenes and ensure the safety and security of personnel. Other
special teams include communications, technical rescue, hazardous
materials and rehab. More than 100 residents volunteer through this
program.
For more information, visit
fireservices/volunteer.htm.
Contact: Dianne Nash, 386-736-5940, ext. 2175, or
dnash@co.volusia.fl.us
Fire Services Auxiliary
Auxiliary volunteers make public presentations on fire
prevention, fire safety, careers in firefighting, health and safety.
For more information, visit
fireservices/volunteer.htm.
Contact: Dianne Nash, 386-736-5940, ext. 2175, or
dnash@co.volusia.fl.us
Friends of Fire Services
Thirty volunteers serve on specific committees and boards or
are assigned to specific projects.
For more information, visit
fireservices/volunteer.htm.
Contact: Dianne Nash, 386-736-5940, ext. 2175, or
dnash@co.volusia.fl.us
Land Acquisition and
Management
Jay Watch Volunteers
Volunteers monitor federally threatened scrub jays in Lyonia
Preserve from June 15 through July 15. This Nature Conservancy Program
trains volunteers to go to set points, call in scrub jays, and record
information about them.
Contact: Bonnie Cary, 386-736-5276 or
bcary@co.volusia.fl.us
Scouting groups
Eagle Scout candidates and scouting groups often volunteer to
work on projects on Volusia County conservation lands. Projects have
included bench and picnic table construction, re-vegetation of wetland
ponds, and cutting and marking of trails.
Contact: Bonnie Cary, 386-736-5276 or
bcary@co.volusia.fl.us
Library Services
Library Volunteers and Friends of the Library
Nearly 800 volunteers assist library staff at public service desks,
check materials in and out, shelve returned materials, help to process
new materials, assist with children's programs, and make telephone calls
to patrons with overdue materials or reserved items ready for pickup.
Friends groups are active at 14 branches throughout Volusia County.
For more information, visit
volusialibrary.org/volunteer.
Contact: Lucinda Colee, 386-248-1745, ext. 1212, or
llcolee@co.volusia.fl.us
Marine Science Center
Friends of the Marine Science Center
This seven-member board of directors secures support for MSC
programs through memberships, volunteer service, donations and special
events. The board has secured funds for construction of new exhibits,
assisted with purchasing new equipment, and coordinated special events
for the MSC.
For more information, visit
marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm.
Contact: Michael Brothers, 386-304-5543 or
mbrothers@co.volusia.fl.us
Marine Science Center Volunteer Corps
Fifty trained volunteers work in the sea turtle and bird
rehabilitation hospitals, assist with educational programs and summer
camps, and work with the center’s aquariums and life support systems.
For more information, visit
marinesciencecenter.com/opportunities.htm.
Contact: Michael Brothers, 386-304-5543 or
mbrothers@co.volusia.fl.us
Seabreeze High School Heritage Society
Students assist visitors at the Touch Pool.
Contact: Michael Brothers, 386-304-5543 or
mbrothers@co.volusia.fl.us
Parks, Recreation and
Culture
Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a Trail programs
Volunteers help to beautify the county’s parks and trails and
keep them litter-free. Community organizations, businesses, school
groups and individuals over 18 may volunteer to adopt a park or trail in
their community.
For more information, visit
www.volusia.org/parks
Contact: Nancy Maddox, 386-736-5953, ext. 2463, or
nmaddox@co.volusia.fl.us
Volunteer in the Park Program
This programs is looking for residents who have a wide
variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences, enjoy working with
people, and want to make a commitment to the community. Duties include
picking up trash; cleaning trails, sidewalks and pavilions; raking
mulch; and removing invasive plant species.
For more information, visit
volusia.org/parks
Contact: Nancy Maddox, 386-736-5953, ext. 2463, or
nmaddox@co.volusia.fl.us
Botanical Gardens of Volusia
This volunteer group leases and maintains the Dunlawton Sugar
Mill Gardens historic site in Port Orange and hascreated a beautifully
landscaped garden. The park hosts many weddings and special events,
which are overseen by the volunteers. More than 100 volunteers are
dedicated to preserving the park’s historic nature, while enhancing its
beauty with lush plants and landscaped areas.
For more information, visit
www.dunlawtonsugarmill.bizland.com.
Contact: Bob Gilpatrick, 386-334-7864
DeBary Hall Inc.
Composed of local residents, this group is the fundraising
arm of DeBary Hall Historic Site.
For more information, visit
www.debaryhall.com.
Contact: Amber Patterson, 386-668-3840 or
apatterson@co.volusia.fl.us
DeBary Hall Docents
Volunteers serve as tour guides at DeBary Hall Historic Site.
For more information, visit
www.debaryhall.com.
Contact: Amber Patterson, 386-668-3840 or
apatterson@co.volusia.fl.us
Lyonia Environmental Center
Volunteers assist with educational programs and field trips,
lead guided hikes through Lyonia Preserve, staff special events, help to
create educational materials, and participate in outreach programs.
For more information, visit
www.lyoniapreserve.com
Contact: Katrina Locke, 386-789-7207 or
klocke@co.volusia.fl.us
Sheriff’s Office
Citizen Observer Program (COP)
More than 200 volunteers assist deputies in combating crime
by patrolling neighborhoods and acting as extra eyes and ears for the
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
For more information, visit
sheriff/volunteer.htm.
Contact: Tim Lamprey, 386-736-5961, ext. 6542, or
tlamprey@vcso.us
The Citizen Volunteer Auxiliary Program
This program provides professional, technical, clerical and
computer assistance throughout the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
For more information, visit
sheriff/volunteer.htm.
Contact: Carol Keesecker, 386-736-5961, ext. 6544, or
ckeesecker@vcso.us
Citizen Volunteer Chaplain Program
This program is composed of clergy from religious groups who
assist the Victim Advocate Program, the general public and Sheriff's
Office employees.
For more information, visit
sheriff/volunteer.htm.
Contact: Senior Chaplain Michael Carroll, 386-736-5961, ext. 6543
Solid Waste Division
Adopt-A-Road
Groups volunteer to clean at least one mile or the entire length of a
road’s right of way four times a year. The county has nearly 100 active
groups.
For more information, visit
recycle/form1.htm.
Contact: Regina Montgomery, 386-943-7889 or
rmontgomery@co.volusia.fl.us
University of
Florida/Volusia County Extension
Master Gardener Program
More than 120 volunteers provide research-based horticultural
education from the University of Florida to adults and youths in Volusia
County.
For more information, visit
http://volusia.org/extension/gardenr1.htm.
Contact: Karen Stauderman, 386-822-5778, ext. 5422, or
kstauderman@co.volusia.fl.us
4-H Clubs
More than 100 volunteers lead or assist with clubs, judge
events, teach workshops, assist with educational programs, teach
leadership skills, and work with students in after-school programs.
For more information, visit
extension/4h.htm.
Contact: Laura Cash, 386-822-5778 or
lcash@co.volusia.fl.us
Program advisory committees
These committees provide extension agents with research needs
of the community. Extension programs are based on advisory committee
support and assessment. Fifty-two residents serve on these committees.
Contact: David Griffis, 386-822-5778, ext. 5421, or
dgriffis@co.volusia.fl.us
Lake Watch Program
Volunteers conduct monthly samples of area rivers, lakes and
springs for the University of Florida Lake Watch Program.
Contact: David Griffis, 386-822-5778, ext. 5421, or
dgriffis@co.volusia.fl.us
Home Community Educators
The mission of this volunteer group is to strengthen
individuals, families and communities through education, leadership and
action. Members learn about a variety of subjects concerning individual
and family life, then share that information with others.
For more information, visit
extension/family.htm.
Contact: Kathy Bryant, 386-822-5778, ext. 5412, or
kbryant@co.volusia.fl.us
