What can I do this winter? Willing to work for $0
August 19, 2020 11:16 PM Subscribe
I worked as a farmer this year and the season is ending. I obviously would love to get a paying job this winter but realistically that might not happen. I would love to volunteer for an organization that deals with habitat restoration/chemical spill cleanup/ocean cleanup etc. The more hours per week the better.
I have a BS in mechanical engineering and I am planning to apply to school for a master’s in environmental science/environmental engineering to start next fall so it would be awesome to find something relevant to that. Where can I find work like this? The catch—I live in Whatcom County, Washington and I’m not willing to move or leave for extended periods of time.
I have a BS in mechanical engineering and I am planning to apply to school for a master’s in environmental science/environmental engineering to start next fall so it would be awesome to find something relevant to that. Where can I find work like this? The catch—I live in Whatcom County, Washington and I’m not willing to move or leave for extended periods of time.
Marine Spill Response Corporation has presence in your area. Not sure they whether they can use volunteers.
posted by evilmomlady at 3:48 AM on August 20, 2020
posted by evilmomlady at 3:48 AM on August 20, 2020
If you are interested in marine and/or freshwater habitat restoration, you should check with each of the watershed councils, salmon recovery foundations, land trusts, and similar groups up and down the coast from where you are. (A lot of work is also being done by tribes, state and federal agencies, counties, etc, but those might be less able to use volunteers.) There are millions of dollars a year being spent in that area alone, so there is a lot of activity going on, though with covid a lot of volunteer opportunities are going to be closed off, unfortunately.
Especially with small operations (which many are, often with only 3-5 full time staff), don't limit yourself to checking the website -- reach out directly to see if they have any needs.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:44 AM on August 20, 2020 [1 favorite]
Especially with small operations (which many are, often with only 3-5 full time staff), don't limit yourself to checking the website -- reach out directly to see if they have any needs.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:44 AM on August 20, 2020 [1 favorite]
I wish I had the skills to open a regenerative ocean farm like greenwave. Maybe you can instead!
posted by stray at 5:49 AM on August 20, 2020
posted by stray at 5:49 AM on August 20, 2020
Your local government and any nearby universities likely have extension offices that offer education and outreach services to local businesses/farmers (for instance,one near me and yet another) You might be able to find locally beneficial programs to help with there.
posted by cross_impact at 1:20 PM on August 20, 2020
posted by cross_impact at 1:20 PM on August 20, 2020
Salish Sea Stewards
Washington Sea Grant
Volunteermatch: Friday Harbor
Volunteer Center of Whatcom County
(Also, you're probably already plugged into r/Bellingham, but if not, it's fairly active, and you might query the folks there.)
On one hand, Whatcom County's volunteer opportunities are going to be a little skewed because of the high percentage of WWU students there (but, on the other hand, many students are probably not coming back to City of Subdued Excitement during This Year of Remote Learning, so who knows!). From googling, it looks as if WWU undergrads periodically start Salish Sea conservation groups, which may or may not still be existence -- but recently started ones might be useful to you. Maybe e-mail a faculty member connected to WWU's Salish Sea Studies Institute? (They may or may not get back to you, but it's still a few weeks before the fall quarter begins there, so you have a reasonable shot at a response.)
Also -- maybe call one of the various whale-watching tours that operate out of the Port of Bellingham? They may have contacts with local educational/conservation groups working on the surrounding waters.
posted by toast the knowing at 1:27 PM on August 21, 2020
Washington Sea Grant
Volunteermatch: Friday Harbor
Volunteer Center of Whatcom County
(Also, you're probably already plugged into r/Bellingham, but if not, it's fairly active, and you might query the folks there.)
On one hand, Whatcom County's volunteer opportunities are going to be a little skewed because of the high percentage of WWU students there (but, on the other hand, many students are probably not coming back to City of Subdued Excitement during This Year of Remote Learning, so who knows!). From googling, it looks as if WWU undergrads periodically start Salish Sea conservation groups, which may or may not still be existence -- but recently started ones might be useful to you. Maybe e-mail a faculty member connected to WWU's Salish Sea Studies Institute? (They may or may not get back to you, but it's still a few weeks before the fall quarter begins there, so you have a reasonable shot at a response.)
Also -- maybe call one of the various whale-watching tours that operate out of the Port of Bellingham? They may have contacts with local educational/conservation groups working on the surrounding waters.
posted by toast the knowing at 1:27 PM on August 21, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
Alternatively, you might need or want to create your own opportunity. “Citizen science” might be a good source of inspiration if not an opportunity in itself.
posted by oceano at 1:30 AM on August 20, 2020