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
Fall Newsletter

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
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.