Become A Volunteer

Volunteer with Laguna Ocean Foundation

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer for Laguna Ocean Foundation! We’d love to have you join our team and start the volunteer journey today. While the Tidewater Docent Program has the most volunteer opportunities, we have plenty of ways for you to be involved and volunteer for us!

Ways to Volunteer

• Educate visitors at tidepools as a Tidewater Docent

• Provide outreach and education at community events

• Run activities or presentations in a classroom 

• Collect data for research projects 

• Create lesson plans for K-12 students 

• Participate in beach clean-ups 

• Overall organizational assistance 

Interested in starting your journey as a volunteer? Get started today or check out one of our upcoming volunteer opportunities that are open to the public (no training necessary)!

Become A Volunteer

Questions about Volunteering

Are there requirements to volunteer?
In order to become an official volunteer for the Laguna Ocean Foundation, you need to be 18 years or older. In addition, we ask that you commit to volunteering at least twice a month. Don’t worry, our shifts are usually 3 hours each so that’s only 6 hours a month! If you’re still interested in volunteering but are under 18, then keep an eye out for our beach clean-ups. There’s no age restriction for helping to keep our beaches clean
Where would I volunteer?
The majority of our volunteer opportunities will be in Laguna Beach. However, we cover all of Orange County. Tidepool education is typically provided at one of the following locations: Crescent Bay, Shaws Cove, Treasure Island, Woods Cove, Heisler Park or Goff Island.
Is there anything else I need to know before I sign up to become a volunteer?
If you’re interested in volunteering at the tidepools and becoming a Tidewater Docent, please note that you may be subject to extreme conditions. You’ll have the choice of which tidepool location you volunteer at, but some locations are easier to access than others. All locations are accessed from the beach and are on a rocky terrain. Please note that we’ll never ask you to volunteer in conditions where you feel unsafe.
Do you provide training?
We sure do! Volunteers receive free training that introduces them to intertidal life and the Marine Protected Area system in California. We offer a volunteer orientation every three months. New volunteers must attend the in-person or virtual orientation, followed by two field trainings, and a short online MPA course before becoming a Tidewater Docent and providing education in the tidepools.

Additional trainings and materials are provided throughout the year for continued education and reference.