Volunteer
The New Hope Bird Alliance is an all-volunteer organization, so we cannot achieve our goals for conservation and education without the help of our generous volunteers like you.
Anyone can volunteer their time and skills – you do not need to be a bird expert to contribute and join the fun!
There are many opportunities to help: one-time tabling at events, seasonal bird surveys, leading our major initiatives, and much more. Every minute you can give helps birds and our community. Please submit the Volunteer Form to get started. Email our Volunteer Coordinator for additional information.
You will find additional information about volunteering in Upcoming Volunteer Events and Committee Opportunities below.
Consider joining our Facebook Group, “like” our Facebook Page, or sign up to receive our newsletter since these are the places where we often announce volunteer opportunities.
Upcoming Volunteer Events
One-time events are a great way to dip your toe into volunteering with us! Spend a few hours volunteering with others, learn about the organization, and meet fellow bird-lovers.
| Date(s)/Time(s) | Shifts | Title | Location | Activity | Contact Name/Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 30-November 4, 2026 | 10 am | Brumley Noth Fall Bird Survey | Brumley Forest Nature Preserve – North Section | This community science project needs volunteers to do a bird census following standard protocols to help Triangle Land Conservancy evaluate the impacts of habitat management activities on bird populations. This project requires skills of bird identification by visuals and sounds for common birds in NC. Interested volunteers can tag along with experienced volunteers to learn before committing. | Jin Bai [email protected] |
| Open to almost any time in September after 9/7/2026 | All day | Help retrieve 8 learning centers from Cape Fear Audubon Chapter in Wilmington, NC | Chapel Hill/Wilmington, NC | NHBA will be gifted 8 learning centers developed years ago at the Maine Audubon Camp. Truck and driver needed for excursion to Wilmington. | Margie Muenzer [email protected] |
| September 26, 2026 | 3 shifts between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Sign up for shifts | Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Festival | Ayr Mount, 376 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough, NC | This tabling event will educate visitors to NHBA activities and have several educational games for kids and adults on birds and plants. | Margie Muenzer [email protected] |
| October 17, 2026 | 2 shifts between 12:45 and 4:15 pm Sign up for shifts | NC Botanical Garden NatureFest | NC Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill. Outside near the education wing of the garden. | This tabling event combines kids’ activities and educational games for all ages. | Margie Muenzer [email protected] |
| Ongoing | Ongoing | Co-chair for Field Trip Committee | This tabling event combines kids’ activities and educational games for all ages | Co-lead the field trips committee alongside an experienced chair. Attend monthly board meetings as needed. Communicate with field trip leaders. | David Anderson [email protected] |
| Ongoing | Ongoing | Membership Tech Assistant | Online/remote | Help oversee our online membership management software. Seeking a volunteer with database experience and a willingness to independently troubleshoot. | Rachelle Roake [email protected] |
Committee Opportunities
For on-going volunteering, consider joining one of our committees. Samples of activities across the year are listed with each of the following committees:
Conservation Committee: Co-Chairs–Barbara Driscoll and Jennifer Maher. The Conservation Committee educates, protects, and advocates for birds, with a particular emphasis on local species in decline and the health of the habitats they depend on. The committee promotes bird-friendly and sustainable development by advocating with local governments to improve development ordinances and by educating private property owners about best practices for supporting birds. Our members support NHBA’s conservation and monitoring efforts at local Important Bird Areas (Jordan Lake and Eno River State Park) and other natural areas in the region. We install and monitor nest boxes, and collaborate on habitat protection with organizations such as Sandy Creek Park, Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Association, and the North Carolina Botanical Garden. A motus tower will be installed in 2026 to help track birds in migration.
Check out these Conservation Projects that seek volunteers throughout the year.
Participate in Advocacy Day
This annual spring event brings chapter members from across the state to advocate for birds and environmental issues at the Raleigh legislature. Led by Audubon North Carolina, Advocacy Day gives members the opportunity to learn about 3-4 specific current issues to discuss with their legislators. Participants are given training, talking points, and a scheduled meeting with legislators – all you have to do is bring your voice and enthusiasm! Contact [email protected].
Monitor nesting Purple Martins
Volunteers are needed to perform weekly or bi-weekly nest checks at 4 housing units located in public parks in Durham, Chapel Hill, and on Jordan Lake. Nesting season is April – August. Training is provided. Contact Rachelle at [email protected].
Participate in Chimney Swift Counts
Spring: Chimney swifts are returning to nest in chimneys in our area during April-June. Please report if you know a nesting location or a pair is nesting in your chimney. While in the fall many chimney swifts will roost in a chimney (100s or even 1,000s), only one pair will use a chimney for rearing young. NHBA is trying to map nesting and roosting locations. Consider uncapping your chimney to help chimney swifts have more places for nesting. Please send nesting information to Barbara Driscoll at btdriscoll[at]bellsouth.net
Fall: NHBA needs volunteers to count Chimney Swifts at known roosts in downtown Chapel Hill, Durham, and Pittsboro. We need volunteers to take shifts starting about 45 minutes before dusk leading up to and during the birds going into the roost chimney in the evening. NHBA can provide training and information on chimney swifts for interested by-standers. If you would like to help with this project between August and October, please contact Barbara Driscoll at [email protected]
Community Science Committee: Co-Chairs–Jin Bai and Gloria Gao. Includes all bird counts (Quarterly Eagle Count at Jordan Lake, Jordan Lake Christmas Bird Count, Jordan Lake Spring Bird Count, Mini-Breeding Bird Survey, Brumley N Bird Survey), Climate Watch, and bird-window collision monitoring project at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Community science projects are at the heart of what the New Hope Bird Alliance does. We appreciate the value of community science projects because these projects engage our members to go outside to bird for both fun and science! All of our current projects and coordinators are listed in the Community Science Projects Overview.
Bird Friendly Habitat Committee: Co-Chairs–Barbara Driscoll, Jim George. Includes the residential Bird Friendly Habitat Certification program; the retail and wholesale garden center program to promote the sale of native plants and stop the sale of invasive plants; the Corporate Bird Friendly Habitat Certification program; and the Bird Friendly Communities program, which works with municipalities to promote bird friendly actions such as planting native plants, removing invasive plants, and sponsoring other bird friendly activities.
- Get trained to conduct yard certification visits as a plant expert or visit recorder. Walking on uneven terrain, long periods of standing, and outdoor exposure to the elements is required. Plant experts are required to be familiar with identifying common native and invasive plants. Contact: Barbara Driscoll, [email protected] or Jim George, [email protected]
Education Committee: Chair–Margie Muenzer. Promotes bird watching and bird friendly activities to the public in a number of venues including schools, libraries, and public events. This committee also promotes family bird walks and nature camp activities.
- Our activities include giving presentations, leading or assisting in hands-on activities, leading or helping with youth or family bird walks, leading or helping with a tabling event at a variety of public events, STEM nights and more throughout the year. Contact: Margie Muenzer, [email protected]
Field Trips Committee: Chair–David Anderson. Includes all field trip activities and all bird walks.
- Lead Bird Outings. Lead people of all ages and abilities in local bird observation outings. Walking on uneven terrain, long periods of standing, and outdoor exposure to the elements is frequently required although we are seeking leaders for alternative outings (big sit events, mindful birding, etc.) Contact: David Anderson, [email protected]
Fundraising/Development Committee: Chair–Sarah Roberts.
This committee coordinates all fund-raising activities including grant applications. Includes position of Bird Seed Sale Coordinator and sales of bird houses. Contact: [email protected].
Media and Communications Committee: Chair–Emily Baqir. Includes management of all platforms for communicating with members such as: all social media (Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, etc.), email listservs, newspaper articles, and Google groups for the board and standing committees. Includes Webmaster, Blog Editor, and Archivist positions. Contact: [email protected]
Membership Committee: Chair–Susan Wyss. Includes Programs, Hospitality, Engagement, and Recruitment. Contact: [email protected]
Lead the Chapter
The New Hope Bird Alliance (NHBA) is governed by a volunteer board of directors with duties outlined in the chapter by-laws. Officers are elected at the May membership meeting and serve through the following April. In addition to the elected officers, all Committee Chairs also serve on the board. The board meets virtually each month to discuss current issues, share project updates, and propose new ideas to advance the chapter’s work in our community. Serving on the board provides excellent leadership experience, community engagement, and networking opportunities. Contact [email protected] to apply for a board position.
Thank you for volunteering with New Hope Bird Alliance!
Love Wildlife? Give Back.
New Hope Bird Alliance depends on the community to help fund meetings, educational resources, and conservation efforts. Make a donation* to help protect North Carolina’s wildlife for years to come. Thank you for your support!
*Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law.
Love Wildlife? Give Back.
New Hope Bird Alliance depends on the community to help fund meetings, educational resources, and conservation efforts. Make a donation* to help protect North Carolina’s wildlife for years to come. Thank you for your support!
*Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law.