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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
Join our group one Saturday each month and restore native habitat and maintain trails with fellow community members. Sign up today to participate in the next monthly restoration events:
Email volunteer@aguahedionda.org to participate in a monthly trail event.
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!
Lagoona Kahuna Team Challenge – (2023 Date) Friday May 5th . Compete against other likeminded 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.
Volunteer Group Project #1: Trail/Exhibit Restoration - $1,500
Volunteer Project #2: Native Garden Refurbishment - $1,000
Volunteer Project #3: Exhibit Refurbishment - $500
Volunteer Project #4: Garden/Trail Maintenance - NO COST
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 pre-defined 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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1580 Cannon Road,
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Monday - Saturday 9am-4pm
(760) 804-1969
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The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 33-0411888.