volunteer

Join our team and make a difference by volunteering with the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation.

work within our community

Make a difference at the lagoon

The AHLF has a variety of volunteer opportunities available for those who would like to donate a few hours of their time, whether it be weekly, monthly or a specific amount of hours. We offer opportunities from ages 16 - 100 of all walks of life. From administrative, to education, to events, to trails and outdoor projects, we are very flexible with schedules and needs. We do provide opportunities for court required hours, service learning, and adult learners. All volunteers must complete an application. Once you submit the application below you will receive an email confirming the application was received. Please do not just show up without confirming via email. 

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Due to the increased volume in volunteer applications, it might take up to one week to receive a response once your application is submitted. In the meantime, please fill out the volunteer waiver. This waiver does not negate the application, please still scroll below and complete the application form.

volunteer opportunities

Discovery Center Docents

Greet visitors during public open hours and answer basic questions about the Lagoon Foundation and the Center's programs and exhibits. This is a great way to get to know the inner workings of the Discovery Center and provide valuable assistance to the Center's team. Training is provided.

Native Plant Garden

Picking weeds, watering succulents and trees, litter removal along Cannon Road, window cleaning, breaking recycling, sweeping, cleaning exhibits. What we consider “Dirty Jobs” but they happen every day to ensure the upkeep of the Discovery Center to the community! 

  • When/Shifts: 
  • Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm 
  • Sunday Noon – 4pm 
  • Where: 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad CA 92008 (The Discovery Center). 
  • Time commitment: Two Hour Shift. 
  • Reply to: volunteer@aguahedionda.org – I will connect you to Al, the lead in this area. 
  • Needed: Waiver signed by parent or guardian (if under 18) by yourself if over 18 - https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/61e20ea2cdf51/web/   
  • What to Bring/Wear: Clothes you do not mind being outside in, moving around and in the dirt. Highly recommend hat, sunscreen, layers. Bring your own lunch/snacks/water bottle.

Seasonal Festivals and Special Events

The Discovery Center hosts special events and seasonal Festivals throughout the year. These are generally one day events or workshops that attract hundreds of visitors. A variety of volunteers opportunities exist with these events.

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Lagoona Kahuna Clean Up Challenge on May 4th and 5th

The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is hosting a corporate clean-up and fundraising event with team building challenges. We will need volunteers for set-up, distribution of prizes, judging, registration, tear down and assistance in the challenges themselves. This will be a fun day on the shoreline of Agua Hedionda with fun activities. There may be some downtime. Food provided for volunteers. Email volunteer@aguahedionda.org if interested.

Trail Maintenance

The AHLF provides maintenance for various trails and public access points surrounding the lagoon including the Hubbs, Kelly, Cove Drive, Bayshore Drive, and Discovery Center Trails. Organized maintenance events occur typically once a month which may include installation of signs, invasive species removal, native planting, and erosion control. Independent volunteers are also needed to walk the trail, pick up trash, report illegal fires and graffiti, and do minor trail maintenance. Requires some hard physical labor.

Algerian Sea Lavender Removal

In conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Nature Collective, the AHLF is attempting to eradicate Algerian Sea Lavender (an invasive species) in the lagoon watershed. This project is 100% funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and corresponds and collaborates with the Coastal Program Coordinator of Southern California. Volunteering for this effort requires physical labor and ability to walk through the mud flats. We need volunteers to hand-pull plants on a weekly basis and assist in tarping large areas, as well as monitor the results when the tarps are pulled. This process is known as solarization. To specifically volunteer for this project please email: volunteer@aguahedionda.org

Monthly Restoration Events

Join our group twice each month and restore native habitat and maintain trails with fellow community members. Sign up today to participate in the next monthly restoration events:

  • 4/20/2024 (Saturday) ~ Hubbs Trail
  • 4/22/2024 (Monday) ~ Hubbs Trail 
  • 6/1/2024 (Saturday) ~ Hubbs Trail
  • 6/6/2024 (Thursday) ~ Hubbs Trail
  • 7/18/2024 (Thursday) ~ Hubbs Trail
  • 7/20/2024 (Saturday) ~ Hubbs Trail
  • 9/6/2024 (Friday) ~ Hubbs Trail
  • 10/10/2024 (Thursday) ~ Hubbs Trail
  • 10/12/2024 (Saturday) ~ DC Trail
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Email ​volunteer@aguahedionda.org to participate in a monthly trail event.​

Haunted Corn Maze

We team up with the Carlsbad Strawberry Company to create the perfect thrilling experience for the community, manned by volunteers! This is a fundraiser for the Foundation. Volunteers are needed from 6:00pm – 10:00pm in the month of October starting on October 1st. This opportunity is held every Friday and Saturday in October. Volunteers must be able to stay the entire shift - the maze is "unsupervised" and students/adults must be responsible to stay in position. Age 18 and above recommended. There will be a floater to relieve for bathroom/water breaks. Snacks provided as well at the end. Closed toed shoes/comfortable wear recommended (if you have a scary Halloween costume, you are welcome to wear your own, but they are provided).



It is a really fun time with a friend or a group of friends. We need a lot of volunteers to fill the multiple shifts, feel free to spread the word!

volunteer Forms

Volunteer Form Up To 20 Hours

Volunteer Form 21+ Hours

Business/Group Volunteer Opportunities

Lagoona Kahuna Team Challenge – Friday May 3rd 2024. Compete against other like-minded companies, to be crowned the Big Kahuna. Your day includes pizza and beer, t-shirts, a lagoon clean-up, and team building activities. Companies involved include Republic Services, Grand Pacific Resorts, Poseidon Water, Clevermade to name a few. 

  • Large Businesses Compete 9am – Noon - $1500 for a team of 10 including other benefits below 
  • Small Business Compete Noon - 3pm - $500 for a team of 5


Learn More


Volunteer Group Project #1: Trail/Exhibit Restoration - $1,500

  • Flexible Dates Available 
  • Typically a 3 – 4 hour time period. 
  • We will purchase restorative materials such as DG, straw wattles, sand bags, and other like materials to fill in some ruts on the most loved areas our trails and educational nature nodes around the center. This could include onsite restoration at the Discovery Center or offsite at our many trails and public access easements. 
  • We will provide all tools 


Volunteer Project #2: Native Garden Refurbishment - $1,000

  • Flexible Dates Available 
  • Typically a 3 – 4 hour time period. 
  • We will purchase native plants and mulch and have your team plant and spread mulch following the plantings. This allows us to keep our replenish our gardens and keep this major attraction up to date. 
  • We will provide all tools. 
  • Includes tour of Discovery Center and light snacks.


Volunteer Project #3: Exhibit Refurbishment - $500

  • Flexible Dates Available 
  • Typically a 2 – 3 hour time period. 
  • We have a decent amount of picnic tables, wood structures and exhibits that constantly need re-staining, lacquering and painting. We would identify these and have your team tackle. 
  • We will provide all tools 
  • Includes tour of Discovery Center and light snacks. 


Volunteer Project #4: Garden/Trail Maintenance - NO COST

  • Assist with weeding, removal of overgrowth and invasive species in the garden. 
  • Typically a 2 – 3 hour time period. 
  • We will provide all tools. 


We always have needs in terms of projects and refurbishment here at the Discovery Center and surrounding public access easements. We can curtail a specific project to your group, depending on what we have in the works. We can work with different budget sizes outside of these predefined ranges based on the project needs as well as budgets of $0. We can provide t-shirts at an additional cost or work with you on catering options as well. 

 

We look forward to hosting your group! 

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