Volunteering at the Museum is an opportunity to share, learn, serve, meet people, teach, and experience the stimulating environment of Mississippi's natural resources. Volunteer commitment in time and talents has been a notable contribution to the Museum's mission of preserving natural Mississippi.

Volunteer Downloads:
Adult Volunteer Application
College Volunteer Application
Youth Volunteer Application
Participation Consent Form
Winter Newsletter
Fall 2010 Museum Volunteer Calendar

All kinds of people volunteer at the Museum—teens, college students, professionals, and retirees. A wide variety of volunteer positions are available. Training is provided and the number of hours you commit is flexible.
            To start the process of becoming a volunteer, give us a call at
601-354-7303 or email for an information packet on the
volunteer program.

Volunteer Stories
During the "Amazing Butterflies" exhibit, many new friends emerged to help us have a successful and very busy spring season at MMNS!

Thanks to the Millsaps College students who have strongly supported the work of the Museum this winter and spring! These Conservation Biology students of Dr. Marcus Telkamp earned service learning hours by volunteering at the Museum and educating visitors through interpretation of our traveling exhibit, "Amazing Butterflies": Neha Patel, Brittany Ector, Mark Herndon, Ashley Scales, Courtney Dugas, Elise Fontenot, Adam Williams, Jonathan McNair, Phillip Schwartz, Lauren Gabreski, Mimi Nguyen, and Lamees El-Sadek.

Millsaps Biology major Phillip Schwartz both volunteered and interned with us, working on studies of long-eared sunfish with aquarist Mike Stegall. Neha Patel will continue to serve the Museum by interning with us this summer in both research and education.

Hinds Community College Phi Theta Kappa honors students continued their practice of supporting us at "NatureFest!", and this year we were joined by future nurses in the Hinds CC dual enrollment program, led by teacher Lisa Fitchie. Public events such as "NatureFest!" would not be a success without the support of all our community partners.

Mentor student Michael White, a senior at Magee High School, has learned about Mississppi black bears and worked with Museum education staff to spread the word about Mississippi endangered species to visitors.

Congratulations to Nathan Bartosek, a senior at New Summit High School and museum teen volunteer, who earned his Eagle Scout award by building a chimney swift tower in the meadow area on the Museum's front lawn. In addition to the hours spent working on his Eagle project, Nathan has given over 100 hours of service at the Museum since he began volunteering.

This spring we recognize the contributions of our volunteers who have reached new milestones of service at the Museum. Teen volunteers Brooke Nash and Ashley Williams have now given over 200 hours; Richard Plucker has now earned over 400 hours.

Adult volunteers: Former Museum librarian Mary Stevens has now given over 100 hours in volunteer time; Derek Terry has given over 100 hours. Gail Buzhardt has given over 200 hours. Aaron Trubman and John Haliburton have given over 300 hours, Martha Bercaw, 600; Roseanne Horn, over 700 hours.

As we look forward to a fun summer at MMNS, we welcome applications for our teen volunteer program in particular! Teens who are accepted as volunteers may be considered for summer camp counselor positions and can assist with summertime public events. For more information, contact Ann at 601-354-7303.



“Museum Volunteers Reach 3,000 Hour Milestone”
Insects...fossils...birds...these and other wonders of nature have been shared with so many, all across our state and in the Jackson area, by MS Museum of Natural Science volunteers John Davis and Joy Rushing.
John and Joy have each given over 3000 hours of service to date at the Museum alone, contributing to our scientific collections, assisting in our research library, participting in on-going research work, and excelling in public education. As former classroom teachers, John and Joy are able to generate a lasting inspiration in others that delights staff and visitors alike.
            And they are not just helping Mississippians discover and protect the wonders of our state through their Museum work. John has worked extensively with the Jackson Audubon Society in recent history, promoting backyard bird awareness and conservation, and Joy has served in countless leadership roles for the MS Gem and Mineral Society and the Clinton Nature Center.
            For getting us to "go outside and play", for building our body of knowledge in natural science, for inspiring so many through the years, John and Joy deserve a big thank you!



Peter Kuchirka reaches 1,000-hour milestone
Congratulations to Peter Kuchirka for reaching the 1,000-hour milestone of volunteer service. Peter began volunteering at the Museum in March of 2005. A former volunteer with the Vertebrate Paleontology Section at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Peter was trained in the molding and casting of fossil bones. Volunteering with MMNS Paleontology, he has created replicas of our most valuable and rare fossils, from sea urchins to rhinoceros leg bones. Peter has also cleaned, repaired, and reconstructed many fossil specimens that were otherwise unusable. Peter’s name will be added to the donor recognition board in the Museum lobby with our
appreciation and sincere thanks!
“Moore” Than a Volunteer
Longtime Museum volunteer Lou F. Moore has recently joined the group of distinguished volunteers who have given more than 1,000 hours of volunteer time. Lou, a semi-retired nurse practitioner and instructor, has dedicated her time and talents to education, the gift shop, temporary exhibits, clerical jobs, working in the herbarium, cleaning animals, special events, recruiting new volunteers, promoting the Museum, and many, many other tasks. Lou’s compassion, kindness, and friendliness make her special to everyone here at the Museum. Lou’s name will be added to the donor recognition board in the Museum lobby. Our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to you, Lou!
Diving into Volunteer Action
On Sunday afternoons, visitors enjoy watching our volunteer divers in action. After entering the Museum volunteer program, these certified divers learned to feed fish in the large Salt Water and Pearl River tanks. The divers also educate, entertain, and interact with visitors during live presentations.
            Behind-the-scenes, these volunteers prepare the fish feedings, a task that includes cutting fish, peeling shrimp, and cleaning and blending worms. Volunteers also spend long hours keeping the tanks sparkling clean, especially the terrarium. In the summer, when algae grows so quickly that the glass needs to be scrubbed at least twice each week, divers put on their masks and wetsuits and spend an hour in the chilly water, scrubbing the glass from the inside. From the slimy task of preparing feedings to the hard work of cleaning tanks, this is some very serious volunteerism!
            Carolee Kuchirka has logged hundreds of volunteer hours cleaning the tanks, diving and feeding the fish, and diving for special events. We salute Carolee, Bryce Lemmons, Rob Blaine, Carla Flaherty, Randy Jones, Mike Lucius, and Amanda Lucius for sharing their time and talents with the Museum and our many visitors!
A “Joyful” Milestone
Museum volunteer Joy Rushing has given more than 1,000 hours of her time as a volunteer - a significant and “joyful” milestone. Joy, a retired teacher, has dedicated a large portion of her time to the Paleontology area. In recognition of her hard work, dedication, and valuable contribution to the Museum and its mission, Joy’s name will be added as a distinguished volunteer on the donor recognition board in the Museum lobby. Congratulations and thanks, Joy!
Field Trip: Flight of Fancy
The Museum’s North American Butterfly Association (NABA) chapter was named for the late Bryant Mather, a founding member of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation and an active board participant for twenty-four years. Mather was keenly interested in insects, specifically moths. Eight species of insects are named matheri in his honor - including five moths, two butterflies, and a fishfly he discovered.