Meet some of the incredible volunteers of Birch Aquarium!
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week — to celebrate we want to highlight and give thanks to our incredible team of volunteers at Birch Aquarium! We would not be the same without the hard work of over 250 volunteers!
Whether they’re greeting guests as they first arrive, talking with visitors at Tidepool Plaza about how organisms are adapted to survive in the intertidal zone, assisting with education programs, or helping out our aquarists — the volunteers at Birch Aquarium are always working hard to create the best possible experience for both staff and guests!
Each of our volunteers brings with them a unique set of experiences and a passion for marine science and conservation — we are so excited to introduce you to a few of our volunteers! We interviewed several of our current volunteers to learn about how they first became interested in volunteering as well as their favorite parts of their role.
Meet Sheila!
What do you do at Birch Aquarium?
I have been volunteering at the aquarium for nine years. I work at the tidepools and interact with families and school kids. My role is to educate our guests about tide pools and the animals found in this habitat – like anemones, sea urchins, sea stars, and more!
How did you become interested in being a volunteer?
After I retired from the FBI, I began looking for something to keep me busy. I wasn’t sure what to do with all the time I had! I had a friend who was a volunteer here and she recommended that I volunteer at the aquarium. Once I saw the view from Preuss Tidepool Plaza I was hooked!
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
I’ve met so many nice people! It’s always a pleasure meeting both guests to the aquarium and other employees and volunteers.
What is your favorite animal at Birch Aquarium?
The seahorses are great! I have a soft spot for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and I also love octopuses and any of the sea stars.
Meet Wayne!
What do you do at Birch Aquarium?
I’ve been volunteering here for 7 years — this year I’m at the information desk directing folks to different exhibits and answering general questions. I’ve also worked at the tidepools which I really liked because I learned about different animals and taught others about them too.
How did you become interested in being a volunteer?
I came through here years ago as a visitor and loved it. My family and I come out to San Diego for 3-4 months every year and this seemed like a perfect opportunity to be around people that are curious, interested, and invested in the ocean. Volunteering is also an excellent way to satisfy my own curiosity as I’ve always been interested in natural and earth sciences.
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
I love getting to talk to so many intelligent people who study the ocean. We get lots of researchers from Scripps that pass through the aquarium and I love talking with them about what they are studying — there’s so much to learn and discover!
What is your favorite animal at Birch Aquarium?
The jellies are definitely my favorite! I love the way they reflect different colors — it’s an almost psychedelic appearance.
Meet Autumn!
What do you do at Birch Aquarium?
I’m pretty new to volunteering at the aquarium! I am an interpreter at the various exhibits and work at the information desk.
How did you become interested in being a volunteer?
I’ve always been passionate about ocean science. When I learned you could volunteer at the aquarium I knew that experience would be a great way to learn more about the ocean!
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
Learning about the local ecosystems and all the different kinds of animals – especially within Pacific and tropical regions.
What is your favorite animal at Birch Aquarium?
I love everything in the Giant Kelp Forest – that exhibit is my favorite!
Meet Katelyn!
What do you do at Birch Aquarium?
I just started volunteering at the aquarium! I work as an interpreter at the tidepools and I also volunteer at the information desk – I answer guests’ questions and get to talk to them about marine animals.
How did you become interested in being a volunteer?
I attend UC San Diego and my major is under Scripps Institution of Oceanography. One of my professors talked about Birch Aquarium and said it was a really fun place to work. When I saw there were volunteer positions available I knew I had to apply!
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
My favorite part is learning unique facts about all the organisms here. I also love educating others and meeting new people everyday!
What is your favorite animal at Birch Aquarium?
I really like the octopus and the Giant Kelp Forest — I love seeing the giant sea bass!
Meet Joanne!
What do you do at Birch Aquarium?
I’ve been volunteering at the aquarium since September 2021. In my role I interact with our guests and get them excited about the awesome creatures we have living in Preuss Tidepool Plaza.
How did you become interested in being a volunteer?
I’m from San Diego originally and so I’ve known about Birch Aquarium for a long time. I took my kids here when they were little and also chaperoned several visits here as both a parent and a teacher. I really fell in love with the aquarium and knew I wanted to spend more time here!
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
I really enjoy talking with guests about marine life. I used to teach, so I especially love talking with kids who are excited and eager to learn more about our ocean planet.
What is your favorite animal at Birch Aquarium?
I really love the sculpin we have in the outdoor tidepools!
Meet Yushi!
What do you do at Birch Aquarium?
I answer guests’ questions, and rotate between working at the information desk and the tidepools.
How did you become interested in being a volunteer?
I’m a student at UC San Diego and I’m a part of Sixth College — one of the requirements for that college is to volunteer with some kind of environmental or educational organization. I heard about the volunteer experience here and thought it would be a good fit for me because I’m really interested in learning more about ocean life!
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
I’ve learned so much about different marine animals that I wouldn’t normally learn about because they are not part of my field of study. I am especially interested in intertidal fish!
What is your favorite animal at Birch Aquarium?
I love all the jellies!
Interested in volunteering yourself or know someone you think would be a good fit? We are currently seeking volunteers! Visit our website for more information about how to become a volunteer at Birch Aquarium!