Volunteering at Starr Ranch
Audubon's 4000-acre Starr Ranch Sanctuary integrates applied research and education to fulfill our mission of connecting people with nature in Orange County. Over the years, we have relied on a group of dedicated volunteers to help us with our public education, weed control, and wildlife monitoring projects. People interested in helping out can become involved with any of the following: education, maintenance, office work, research, invasive species control and habitat restoration. Please contact Sandy DeSimone ( ) at 949-858-0309 if you would like to become a Starr Ranch volunteer.
Bird Banding Volunteers
Dedicated birders who would like banding experience are invited to apply to become volunteer banders for a MAPS (Mapping Avian Productivity and Survival) station at the Starr Ranch Bird Observatory. MAPS is a growing network of nearly 500 songbird banding stations in 47 states that was created in 1989 by the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP). Long term banding data from MAPS stations will help track changes in populations and migration patterns. In 2005, we became part of an international monitoring network that examines birds in their wintering grounds, MOSI (Monitoreo de Sobrevivencia Invernal) with 29 stations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
If you would like to volunteer with the Starr Ranch MAPS and MOSI banding projects, please contact Justin Shew (jshew@audubon.org) at 949-858-3537. For more information visit our Starr Ranch Bird Observatory webpage or check out the SRBO volunteer flyer.
Small Mammal Monitoring Volunteers
In the spring of 2004 we commenced a long-term study that examines the effects of coastal sage scrub restoration on small mammals. The goal of this project is to produce estimates of small mammal species composition, richness, diversity, and abundance in our paired restoration and pristine monitoring sites.
If you would like to volunteer with the small mammals project please contact Director of Research and Education Sandy DeSimone (sdesimone@audubon.org) at 949-858-0309. For more information visit our Effects of Restoration on Small Mammals webpage.
Stream Bioassessment Volunteers
Since 2003, Starr Ranch biologists have been using Rapid Bioassessment to gather data on the impact of urban run-off on the physical, chemical, and biological components of water quality in the creeks of Starr Ranch.
If you would like to volunteer with the annual stream bioassessment project, please contact Director of Research and Education Sandy DeSimone (sdesimone@audubon.org) at 949-858-0309. For more information visit our Riparian Habitat Enhancement and Monitoring webpage.
Invasive Plant Control Volunteers
Starr Ranch "Weed Warriors" help to remove weeds to protect habitats and wildlife. Weeds can alter habitats and can have negative effects on wildlife. All of our weed control is non-chemical, and done by hand. Current volunteer projects include periwinkle removal, recently worked on by members of the Orange County Conservation Corps.
If you would like to become a "weed warrior" at Starr Ranch, please contact Sandy DeSimone ( ) at 949-858-0309. For more information please read our invasive plant control volunteer flyer.
We Love Our Volunteers! THANK YOU ALL!
We have a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers who help us at Starr Ranch as docents during public events and as assistants to our researchers. Volunteers also help us with facility maintenance and office work. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who have lent Starr Ranch a helping hand over the years.
