National Volunteer Week: Celebrating Sanctuary Volunteers

April 22, 2026

We celebrate the hundreds of sanctuary volunteers who are committed to ocean stewardship and resource protection during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, 2026! Let’s shine a spotlight on some dedicated Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary volunteers who support NOAA's mission:

If you’ve ever visited the Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, you may have met one of the many volunteer docents that staff the center. Visitor center docents greet visitors, help interpret exhibits to the public, and participate in events. Meet Ruth, one of our amazing volunteers!

Name: Ruth Campbell

  1. How long have you been a sanctuary volunteer?
    I was in the first training class and have been a SEC docent volunteer since it first opened in July 2012.
  2. What’s your favorite part about being a sanctuary volunteer?
    Interacting with the wide variety of visitors from overseas and the USA is my favorite part. Sharing and discussing their questions or specific interests is rewarding and fun!
  3. What is your favorite ocean critter?
    The female Leatherback Turtle is a favorite for her tenacity and skills she uses to swim 7,000 miles from her home beach in Indonesia to the west coast of the Americas to snack primarily on jellies. She turns around and swims back to her home beach to lay her 300-400 eggs at her home beach.

a person in a black shirt speaking with a volunteer docent in a teal polo inside a visitor center
Ruth is committed to educating visitors at the Exploration Center. Photo: Patricia Bose/NMSF

 

Team OCEAN volunteers serve as on–the–water interpretive naturalists, educating ocean kayakers about the sanctuary and sharing tips for responsible wildlife viewing. Hear from Chris about why he enjoys volunteering:

Name: Chris Foster

  1. How long have you been a sanctuary volunteer?
    This will be my third year volunteering for the sanctuary.
  2. What’s your favorite part about being a sanctuary volunteer?
    My favorite part about volunteering for the sanctuary is spending time in my kayak, observing the animals and conditions at Cannery Row and Elkhorn Slough, and talking to visitors about what I am seeing as well as answering questions they may have.
  3. What is your favorite ocean critter?
    My favorite ocean animal is the harbor seal. I knew Andrew the seal as a kid growing up in Rockport, Maine.

two kayakers talking while paddling in the ocean
Team OCEAN volunteer naturalists, such as Chris, provide on-the-water outreach to fellow paddlers about responsible wildlife viewing. Photo: Lisa Uttal/NOAA

 

The Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network is a volunteer-based citizen science program engaging the community about watersheds, pollution prevention, and reducing water quality threats. Volunteers monitor creeks, streams, and storm drains during Snapshot Day and First Flush events. Get to know one of our current watershed monitoring volunteers, Anthony!

Name: Anthony Amarante

  1. How long have you been a sanctuary volunteer?
    3 years.
  2. What’s your favorite part about being a sanctuary volunteer?
    verybody who comes out to help can contribute something needed.
  3. What is your favorite ocean critter?
    The lowly phytoplankton that makes most of the oxygen in the atmosphere that so many other critters need every day and night.

person wearing a yellow rain poncho and holding a multicolored umbrella, standing in the rain at a water sampling event
Anthony participates in First Flush event to help monitor land-based water entering into the sanctuary. Photo: Megan McKenna

 

Coastal Discovery Center docents in San Simeon help greet visitors, interpret exhibits, participate in events, and assist with K-12 grade field trips. We appreciate amazing volunteers like Sofia!

Name: Sofia Valencia

  1. How long have you been a sanctuary volunteer?
    Almost 4 years.
  2. What’s your favorite part about being a sanctuary volunteer?
    My favorite part of being a volunteer is getting to share how much I love the ocean with curious visitors. I get to teach visitors something new, and sometimes they teach me something new!
  3. What is your favorite ocean critter?
    Humpback whale.

two people in teal polo shirts helping two kids create fish prints
Sophia volunteers for outreach events, another way to get involved in sanctuary education. Photo: Isabella Paz

 

Bay Net volunteers are interpretive naturalists located along coastal trails in Monterey and Pacific Grove., working to educate coastal visitors about local wildlife and promote responsible wildlife viewing. Meet Laurie, one of our inspiring volunteers!

Name: Laurie Adams

  1. How long have you been a sanctuary volunteer?
    I have been a volunteer for Bay Net since spring 2023.
  2. What’s your favorite part about being a sanctuary volunteer?
    It is truly a joy to share Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with visitors from all over the world! Educating and interpreting the incredible wonders of this vast marine ecosystem helps to develop visitors’ empathy, care and concern and is a critical part of all ocean conservation efforts.
  3. What is your favorite ocean critter?
    Right now I'm really enjoying all the pods of orcas that have been visiting our beautiful bay. It is interesting to watch them practice their many hunting techniques with their young calves.

person wearing a bright blue jacket and carrying a tripod over their shoulder with binoculars hanging from their neck
Dedicated Bay Net volunteers, like Laurie, educate shoreline visitors year round about wildlife seen along the coast. Photo: Damian Bautista