Volunteer Opportunities
The strength and character of our communities come from the dedication and passion of our amazing residents. Thank you for exploring the volunteer opportunities available—we're excited to come together to help our communities and natural surroundings thrive!
If any of these opportunities speak to you, we’d love to hear from you. And if you have a unique passion or idea that isn’t listed here but could make a positive impact, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to connecting and working together!
Become an Early Detection Volunteer
Starry Stonewort threatens everything we love about our lakes! Become an early detector with comprehensive training, flexible schedule and locations! Fun, Easy and makes a REAL difference!!
Position on the WAPOA Board of Directors
We have several opportunities for leaders on our Board of Directors:
Secretary
Business Relations Director
Membership Director
Future President (previous experience on the WAPOA Board required)
Future Vice Present
Land Use/Governmental Relations
Run for the Walleye
Our annual Run for the Walleye event is held on July 5, 2025. We need several volunteers for this event including check in staff, bag stuffers, water station attendants and more!! If you are interested in volunteering at this iconic annual event, reach out!! also, if you are passionate about leadership, we are searching for an individual or group to manage the annual event.
Lake Water Quality Testers
Ten to twenty hours each summer
Description: WAPOA is looking for concerned citizens to join a dedicated group volunteers that invest ten to twenty hours each summer in monitoring, sampling and reporting on the water quality of our lakes, and stream. The sampling process involves an hour or so on the lake, collecting water samples and monitoring water clarity with Secchi disks. Samples are gathered/recorded on the weekend with scheduled sample drop off on the following third Monday of each month in 2025 as follows:
May 19th
June 16th
July 14th
August 18th
September 15th
August 8 & 9 - Deerwood Days in Deerwood, MN
The NLC will have a vendor booth at the annual Deerwood Days event in the vendor fair. At the booth, we'll have an info station with information about the center, programs, and about loons (of course!), as well as merchandise from the Nest for sale. We are asking for volunteers to staff the booth to promote the National Loon Center and sell merch on Friday and Saturday.
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Friday 8/8 - 8:30am-1:00pm (1 volunteer)
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Friday 8/8 - 1:00pm-5:30pm (1 volunteer)
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Saturday 8/9 - 8:30am-1:00pm (2 volunteers)
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Saturday 8/9 - 1:00pm-5:30pm (2 volunteer)
August 27 - MN State Fair: DNR Water Day
The NLC is returning to the state fair for the DNR Water Day! We'll have a booth to celebrate freshwater resources as they relate to loons. We are asking for volunteers to promote the NLC and educate visitors about protecting loons and their habitat.
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8:30am-12:00pm (2 volunteers)
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12:00pm-3:30pm (2 volunteers)
August 31 & Sept 1 - MN State Fair: Eco Experience
The NLC is returning to the state fair for the MPCA Eco Experience! We'll have a booth similar to the DNR Water Day. We'll ask volunteers staffing the booth to promote the NLC and educate visitors.
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Sunday 8/31 - 8:30am-1:00pm (2 volunteers)
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Sunday 8/31 - 1:00pm-5:00pm (2 volunteers)
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Sunday 8/31 - 5:00pm-9:00pm (2 volunteers)
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Monday 9/1 - 8:30am-1:00pm (2 volunteers)
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Monday 9/1 - 1:00pm-5:00pm (2 volunteers)
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Monay 9/1 - 5:00pm-9:30pm (2 volunteers)
July 22 - "Be a Naturalist Day" in Grand Rapids, MN
This is an annual event at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids. We'll have a booth with family friendly activities to educate about loons.
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9:30am-3:30pm (1 volunteer)
Volunteering at the Nest
Welcoming guests, selling merchandise, educating/conversing with visitors 3-6 hour shifts (depending on preference)
Thursday-Saturday 10-4 and various weekend events
Description: The NLC is looking for volunteers to help keep the center open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00am-4:00pm during the summer! Volunteers will receive training before the first shift on how to use the point of sale system and on loony topics. Shifts typically consist of welcoming guests, educating and conversing with visitors, and occasionally selling merchandise. •
StewardShip Guide
Lead floating classroom passengers in learning about loons, water quality, and other fun lake facts o 9:00am-11:00am every Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Description: The NLC’s floating classroom, the StewardShip, needs volunteers to lead passengers in learning about loons, water quality, and other fun lake facts!
StewardShip excursions run from 9:00am-11:00am weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the summer. Training will be provided, so the only skill you need is a passion for the outdoors and for sharing that passion with others! Minnesota Master Naturalists are preferred for StewardShip guides.
Summer 2025: Cragun’s StewardShip excursions
We’ve partnered with Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd to kickstart a StewardShip program on Gull Lake. We will need volunteers (in the Brainerd area would be great) to help guide excursions just like on Cross Lake
Fridays starting May 30th
Tuesdays starting June 24th
Two 45-minute excursion spots at 9:00 am and 10:00 am
Description: The NLC’s floating classroom, the StewardShip, needs volunteers to lead passengers in learning about loons, water quality, and other fun lake facts! The StewardShip program is expanding to offer excursions of Gull Lake, courtesy of Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd, MN. The NLC is searching for Minnesota Master Naturalists or nature/loon lovers in the Brainerd area to volunteer in the Summer of 2024 to be guides on the Gull Lake StewardShip. Training will be provided, so the only skill you need is a passion for the outdoors and for sharing that passion with others!
Trivia Night Team
Facilitate “Loons and Lakes”
Trivia Night events at local breweries/bars/restaurants o
Write/compile questions for trivia rounds
Network with community members to promote National Loon Center and WAPOA
Description: The National Loon Center and WAPOA work together to host “Loons and Lakes” Trivia Nights in the Crosslake area and beyond. This event has been strongly established at 14 Lakes Brewery in Crosslake, and we are expanding our reach to other businesses to host Trivia Nights. With our expansion, we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to contribute to our team and help host trivia! Trivia Nights take place once a month at each host venue.
Shoreline Restoration Community Builds
Description: Helping install willow waddle, plant shoreline and buffer zone plants for community members when they have been devastated by shoreline erosion or are trying to save their shoreline from the potential of erosion.
This would be on a case by case basis and we would send you the information when a community build comes available. To check the available dates for Community Builds, see the schedule of events:
Whitefish Water Wonders Family Event
July 22 and August 9, from 12-3
Army Corp of Engineers in Crosslake
Do you love the water quality of our lakes and are inspired to help educate families in a fun way about preserving our lakes health?!! We have a great event for you!! We are looking for volunteers from 11 am to 3:30 pm for a fun day in the water!!
Other Opportunities
Often opportunities come up to make a positive effect on our lakes, nature and forests. If you are interested in participating in different events, share your contact information with us and we will send you a list of events as they arise.
If you have a particular passion and would like to get involved promoting your passion, we are always ready and willing to help that passion grow with volunteer events. Share your ideas!!