Wolf Trap National Park Service Opportunity – 2026

Logo: Friends of Wolf Trap

 

Wolf Trap National Park has six (6) open volunteer Service positions to be Nature Event Planners for calendar 2026.

The National Park Service at Wolf Trap National Park (not to be confused with the Wolf Trap Foundation – the non-profit that runs the entertainment side of the Park) hosts ten (10) nature events each calendar year. The events are typically 90 mins long and occur on the first Sunday of each month and are typically led by a volunteer nature subject matter expert. Prior events have featured nature hikes; subject matter experts focused on birds, flowers, reptiles, insects, and mushrooms; children’s events around art in nature, bats, fireflies and more.

The Friends of Wolf Trap (FOWT) coordinate these events for the Park and will lend support and training for the volunteers.
With support from FOWT, duties would involve:

1) Selecting the topic (it could be simply a hike or a focus on a natural resource, such as reptiles, mushrooms, trees, etc.);
2) Securing a subject-matter expert (e.g., an FMN or a representative of an organization with applicable expertise);
3) Preparing and posting the Eventbrite description;
4) Sharing the Eventbrite link with Wolf Trap National Park and other “partner” organizations to drive interest and attract registrants;
5) Monitoring Eventbrite registration activity up to the date of the event;
6) Securing volunteer support in proportion to the number of registrants expected to attend. Generally, about half of Eventbrite registrants actually attend – the weather being a determining factor. Volunteer support is usually found among the FOWT members and the FMN community for handling sign-in, directing parking, answering miscellaneous questions, providing general natural resource knowledge, interacting with the participants, and ensuring safety.
7) Identifying and securing any logistical support needed by the presenter (e.g., a microphone, table and chair, covered shelter, etc., most of which are available through the Park)
8) Seeking FOWT approval for modest expenditures, if needed. (E.g., a speaking fee for an expert or a contribution to a featured organization).
Wolf Trap National Park and FOWT will provide support, suggestions and oversight, as desired, to those who volunteer for this Service assignment. A schedule that allocates monthly assignments among those who volunteer, will be developed to help ensure a manageable, meaningful experience for each volunteer. Two (2) volunteers will be assigned to each event. Volunteers will be assigned to three (3) events per year.

Volunteers will log 5-10 FMN service hours per person for each of the events they manage. The FMN Service Code is S168 – National Park Service Stewardship Projects.
This project can be done largely from home. Presence on the day of the event is helpful but not required. A year’s commitment is requested.
Please Contact Kathy Stewart: 703-403-4923; bugssite@aol.com with questions or to apply to volunteer for this Service project.