Be a Volunteer at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo!

Volunteers provide valuable assistance in almost every area of the Zoo's operations. These committed individuals donate over 40,000 hours a year in a variety of capacities. That's an equivalent value of more than $750,000 in volunteer work.

• ECCO (Education, Conservation and Community Opportunities) Leadership Program
• Zoo Crew Explorers Program
• Summer Camp Internship
  
  What is the new ECCO Leadership Program?
  

• A semester long opportunity for youth ages 13 - 16 to experience the Zoo accumulating 50 volunteer service hours.
• Participants attend workshops offered every Monday and Wednesday after school that focus on personal and professional leadership, animal husbandry and conservation, as well as, local and global environmental issues.
• Upon completion, ECCO graduates have the opportunity to continue volunteering and working with the Zoo in a variety of ways.

What is the Zoo Crew Explorers Program?

• A professional development program allowing youth 16-18 years of age the opportunity to gain weekly volunteer hours through a variety of zoo departments.
• Flexible program allows for volunteering either over the summer or throughout the year.
• Departments include operations, education, and animal handling.
• Group Activities include: conservation presentations, animal interpretation, and partnerships with local organizations.
  
  

What is a Summer Camp Internship?

• A three week or more opportunity for teens ages 15 or older to assist with the Zoo’s Summer Camps Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm.
• Interns help children with crafts and activities, supervise lunches, assist with animal enrichments, and visit the Zoo for Zoo Hikes and keeper talks.
• Meet new friends your age, participate in weekly leadership workshops in the Youth Center and have a great time earning volunteer service hours!
  

ECCO Leadership Program Application and Information
Zoo Crew Explorer Program Application and Information
Summer Camp Internship Program Application and Information


Once the application packet is complete, send it back to the Zoo by mail or by drop it off at the Zoo ticket booth. Please make sure you mark the envelope: "LPZ Teen Programs." We will contact you when we begin recruiting for our next enrollment.

If you need additional information, please email the Youth Programs Coordinator or contact her via phone at (813) 935-8552 ext. 479.

STUDENT RESOURCE GUIDE

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is dedicated to serving as an educational resource for the community.  We receive many requests from students of all ages who are seeking to pursue projects or homework assignments at the Zoo, and we greatly appreciate the interest.   There are many ways to learn more about the Zoo’s commitment to conservation, education and research.

If you are seeking help with an assignment, please click here.

Volunteer Requirements:

• All volunteers must be a minimum of 14 years of age.
• All volunteers must be reliable, hard working and possess strong leadership skills.
• All volunteers must complete an application/emergency contact sheet.
• All volunteers must sign a liability form.
• Zoo Boo and Wild Wonderland volunteers must work the entire shift.

Special Event Volunteer Opportunities:

• Zoofari – food festival (corporate and group contacts only)
• WaZoo – beverage festival (volunteers 21 and over only, corporate and group contacts only)
• Wild at Heart – multi-night Valentine’s Dinner
• Karamu – black tie dinner
• Zoo Zoom and Zoo Run Run – 5K runs inside the Zoo
• Golf Tournament
• Zoo Boo- month long, seasonal Halloween event with various fun volunteer positions available  (Teen and Adult volunteers)
• Wild Wonderland - month long, seasonal Holiday event with special “actor” positions available (Teen and Adult volunteers)
• Others as they arise!

Special Event Volunteer Benefits:

• An opportunity to become a part of wildlife conservation and education in your community
• The chance to meet people and share the excitement of the Zoo
• Monthly Volunteer Newsletter
• Recognition
• An opportunity to make network and spend time in one of the “top ten” Zoos in the United States

Forms for Special Event Volunteers:

• Individual Volunteer Application (PDF)
• Release of Liability (PDF)

If you need additional information or to submit your forms, please e-mail our Volunteer Coordinator or contact her via phone at (813) 935-8552 ext. 296.

Group projects are scheduled at least 30 days in advance. To request a date and time for your group, fill out our online application and e-mail our Volunteer Coordinator or contact her via phone at (813) 935-8552 ext. 296.

Corporate Volunteer Program
Corporations play a special role by bringing groups of employee volunteers together, often for specific projects on either an ongoing, periodic, or one-time basis. These projects not only provide an invaluable service to the Zoo, but also afford a wonderful opportunity for employees to spend quality time together outside the workplace. If your company would like to become involved at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, we can tailor a program of activities that is just right for you and your employees. There are an unlimited number of possibilities, but the sample programs which follow offer some ideas to get you going.

 Adopt a Project
You can work with Zoo professionals to determine a specific activity that your corporation can make your own – for example, a children’s educational program or activity, the promotion and beautification of a particular animal exhibit, or providing guides for traveling exhibits – with a schedule that fits your needs as well as those of the Zoo.

Hold a Corporate Zoo Day
Bring the whole gang together for a one-time “Zoo Beautification.” Enjoy a fun day of teamwork and camaraderie in a tranquil setting.

Link Your Corporate Donations to Your Community Service
If you are interested in making a corporation donation to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, you may want to consider linking your funds to your employees’ volunteer service – donating a specific amount for every hour volunteered.

Group and Corporate Daily Volunteer Requirements:

• All volunteers must be a minimum of 15 years of age.
• All volunteers must be reliable, hard working and possess strong leadership skills.
• All volunteers must complete an application/emergency contact sheet.
• All volunteers under 18 years of age must sign a liability form.

Group and Corporate Daily Volunteer Opportunities:

• Recycling and eco-conservation projects.
• Beautification projects within Zoo grounds.
• Other special projects that we can customize for your group (based on availability and current Zoo needs).

Group and Corporate Daily Volunteer Benefits:

• An opportunity to become a part of wildlife conservation and education in your community
• The chance to meet people and share the excitement of the Zoo
• Monthly Volunteer Newsletter
• Recognition
• An opportunity to network and spend time in one of the “top ten” Zoos in the United States

Forms for Daily Volunteers:

1. Individual Volunteer Application (PDF)
2. Release of Liability (PDF)

If you need additional information or to submit your forms, please e-mail our Volunteer Coordinator or contact her via phone at (813) 935-8552 ext. 296.

• 16 weeks
• 25 hrs per week
• 2.5 GPA
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must have a Sophomore or higher college status
• Resume
• Minimum of 3 letters of recommendation from University faculty
• Letter of intent answering the following questions:

1. What are your career goals?
2. How would this internship help achieve your career goals?
3. What type of coursework and/or experience do you have that would make you a valuable asset to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo?


• Completed internship application (Click Here To Download)
• Pre-service interview with the Education/Volunteer Supervisor
• Negative TB test within the last 12 months
• Tetanus vaccination within the last 5 years
• Strong work ethic
• Ability to:

1. climb ladders/stairs
2. lift and carry 50lbs
3. operate small machinery (weed eater, line trimmer, lawn mower, etc.)
4. load and operate wheel barrows
5. maneuver in and around exhibits, corrals, and holding areas
6. work outside in Florida’s climate


• Must have dependable transportation
• Scuba certification is preferred but not required

Are you interested in earning hands-on experience in Special Event Planning, Finance/Accounting, Fundraising/Development, Marketing/PR, Graphics/Design, or Horticulture?  Our operations/administration internship program may be for you!  Our operations/administration internship experience is an exciting learning opportunity for college students to participate in various departments at the Zoo to achieve learning goals associated with their field of study. 

Interns will be carefully monitored by the intern coordinator and their managers to ensure that they have an opportunity to actively participate in his/her learning experiences, and if applicable, that they meet the requirements of their educational institution for academic credit.  The program features a learning agenda complete with objectives, observation, reflection, evaluation and assessment, and periodic performance evaluations. Typical internships last for 16 weeks, over the course of a semester.

How is this program structured?
Our internship program consists of an exciting hands-on experience that lasts from four months to two years. Most of the internships at the Zoo are unpaid, with several receiving stipends upon successful completion. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo uses a multi-faceted approach to ensure a positive experience for both Zoo staff and for the intern.  The program is structured through use of a curriculum, learning contract, daily tasks, open communication, record-keeping and evaluations.

What positions are available?
Current administration internship opportunities include: Special Event Planning/Coordination, Development, Finance/Accounting, Horticulture, Graphics/Design, Marketing, Public Relations within Visitor Services and more!

Eligibility Requirements:
· Junior, Senior or Master’s Level Student
· Minimum GPA of 2.5
· Submit Resume & Cover Letter

Upon invitation for interview, applicant must complete application and background check.

To apply for an administration internship, please submit cover letter and resume to:

Sarah Woolverton-Mohler via email:
or via mail:
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Attn:  Sarah Woolverton-Mohler
Operations/Administration Intern Program
1101 W. Sligh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33604

PAST INTERN COMMENTS:

“The experience I gained at the Zoo has definitely helped me so far with my job search.  I’ve gotten interviews specifically because of the work I did at the Zoo.  Potential employers have been impressed by my knowledge and experience in development, as well as the professionalism and office skills I gained while at the Zoo. 
Before starting my internship at the Zoo, I did not have any experience in development but my manager and other staff members were more than happy to teach and guide me.  I was always treated with respect and like an important, contributing staff member.  I couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience and I’m happy to know that my former supervisors are more than happy to provide me with recommendations and support.” 

- Office of Development Intern 2008