Historical Changes in Volunteer Programs at Zoos and Aquariums

Alec Marschke

Development of the Presentation

Originally created for NCAAZK’s 2015 regional symposium

The topic was selected based on the symposium’s theme

Opportunity to educate individuals from other areas of the zoo field

Learn more myself

Constantly adding new information

Helps to better identify and describe definitive trends

Major Questions

How has the role of volunteers changed in the zoo field?

Why have these changes occurred?

How do these changes reflect broader changes in the field?

Searching for Information

Little to no detailed records of volunteer roles

Reduced time period of focus

Definitive trends difficult to identify

Relied on finding individuals who have been active in the field for a significant time

Searching for Information cont'd

Staff and Volunteers from Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Members of Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents and Volunteers (AZADV)

Volunteer managers from other zoos via Association of Zoos and Aquariums Network

Big Trends

Volunteer roles and trainings have become more specialized for each position

Zoos have become more selective in who they allow to volunteer in certain positions. This is especially true for individuals whose job requires them to work with or close to animals

Volunteers no longer share the duties of zookeepers. Instead, they are another resource for zookeepers to utilize

Roles Becoming More Specialized

Volunteers’ roles and responsibilities are becoming narrower and focused

Benefits of Roles Becoming More Specialized

Allows for volunteers to perform their assigned tasks in a thorough and professional manner

Allows institutions to accommodate a younger demographic of volunteers

Creates an environment where volunteers don’t feel overwhelmed nor overly restricted

Many facilities allow volunteers to add new roles at a later time

Examples of Roles Becoming More Specialized

Education Volunteers/ Docents In the past, volunteers would be trained to educate

throughout the entire campus Now, volunteers are trained to educate in one specific

‘zone’In some cases, only one species

This change has occurred or is currently happening at many institutions

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Encourage volunteers to focus with helping one department

Volunteers who choose to switch departments must ‘re-interview’

Extensions from Roles Becoming More Specialized

Many individuals who work or volunteer in the zoo field are using the experience as a ‘stepping stone’ for other careers

Zoos and aquariums are recognized as institutions of science and conservation

The field as a whole is becoming more long-term career based (Volunteering provides an alternative)

Many younger volunteers have a limited amount of time they can give to their institution

Increasing Selectivity

Zoos have become more selective in who they allow to volunteer in certain positions. This is especially true for individuals whose job requires them to work with or close to animals.

Three main methods

Interview processes

Individuals begin with limited responsibilities which they can build upon

Providing clear descriptions of what new volunteers should expect

Benefits of Increasing Selectivity

Creates an environment with only dedicated and trustworthy individuals

Limits number of volunteers who ‘drop out’ after a short time

Allows staff to assess individuals and give them new responsibilities which suit them best

Gives individuals time to become comfortable with basic tasks before being given more challenging ones

Creates a professional and positive public image for the institution

Allows individuals to give more or less time depending on their other commitments

Examples of Increasing Selectivity

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Changes to interview process

Changes to which volunteers assist with the animal department

Previously, any volunteer who offered to help was allowed to do so.

Now, only teen volunteers and interns are allowed to help.

Changes to education volunteers’ training process

Previously, new volunteers would immediately be trained to interpret in a specific section of the zoo.

Now, new volunteers are trained to work side by side with public programming staff. Some of these volunteers are later given the opportunity to be trained to interpret in a specific section of the zoo.

Examples of Increasing Selectivity cont'd

Kansas City Zoo

Changes to which volunteers assist with the education animal department

Currently, only 15 of approximately 80 volunteers are able to work with education animals. Of these volunteers, only one is considered a volunteer zookeeper.

Details about the past are unclear; however, more volunteers were part of the animal care team.

Extensions of Increasing Selectivity

The zoo field as a whole has become increasingly selective of employees

Increasing standards

Increasing competition

Increasing standards of care for animals

Volunteer programs are held to a higher standard

Changing Influence on Zookeeping

Volunteers no longer share the duties of zookeepers. Instead, they are another resource for zookeepers to utilize.

Though every institution’s changes vary, volunteers working directly with animals have been largely eliminated. (Excluding outreach collections)

Some zoos have had these policies in place longer than others

These changes provide two major benefits:

They allow for more experienced and expert care to be given to animals.

They decrease risk and therefore liability of the institution.

Examples of Changing Influence on Zookeeping

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

No volunteer zookeeper position currently available for adult volunteers.

Previously, roles were made available to those who were interested and offered to help.

Adult volunteers still assist in various ways

Diet prep

Developing enrichment

Special projects. For example, chimp forest re-mulching.

Teen volunteers may participate in the Junior Keeper program

Typically, the roles given to teen volunteers are limited and under supervision of animal keeping staff.

Examples of Changing Influence on Zookeeping cont'd

Little Rock Zoo

Volunteers only assist with education collection

Previously, volunteer roles were similar to zookeepers roles.

Volunteers would step in when staff was unavailable

Detroit Zoo

Volunteer roles have expanded to provide more opportunities for volunteers to assist staff

Volunteers assist with larger tasks under tight supervision

Examples of Changing Influence on Zookeeping cont'd

Brookfield Zoo (Chicago, IL)

Volunteers are not involved with zookeeping in any way.

Volunteers could handle small petting zoo animals

Has remained this way for the past 25 years at least

Brevard Zoo (Melbourne, FL)

Teams of volunteers were formed to fill various roles

Some assisted zookeepers

Others assisted other departments

Extensions of Changing Influence on Zookeeping

Increasing standards of care for animals

Zookeeping is becoming a long term career

Provides the most demanding experience to those interested in the field

Many institutions are finding ways to allow volunteers to assist independently

Driving Forces

Volunteers have become more professional

AZADV

Volunteers are held to higher standards

Themselves

The zoo field (AZA)

Younger individuals are volunteering

Extensions of Driving Forces

Zoo staff has become more professional

AAZK

Institutions are held to higher standards

Themselves

The zoo field (AZA)

Thoughts for the Future

Two Ideas

Volunteers will adapt with the zoo field

Volunteers will always serve valuable roles to the zoo field

Two Questions

Will these roles have more or less overlap with staff?

Will a changing demographic of volunteers be able to take on new roles?

Future Study

Larger sample size

More quantitative and less anecdotal approach

Breakdown by demographic

Longer period of focus

More uniform approach to gathering information

AZA vs. Non-AZA

Sources

Kerrie Kovaleski, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Mike McClure, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Ann Grabski Pisani, Kansas City Zoo

Amanda Galiano, Little Rock Zoo

Karen Caster, Little Rock Zoo

Ann Marie Fogarty, Brookfield Zoo

Regi Mezydlo, Brookfield Zoo

Jean Galvin, Brevard Zoo

Margo Williams, Zoo Miami