Sawgrass Nature Center Docent Program

The Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital’s Docent Program is an opportunity for students in Grades 10-12. 

The program offers students the following:

• Volunteer Hours

• Leadership Skills

• Public Speaking

• Education about our native wildlife and environment.

Summer Docents provide a volunteer-led tour of the SNC to visitors. Their job is to give visitors information about the animals and exhibit areas of our center as well as lead an educational activity.

Our docents are also engaged in group activities that develop their public speaking skills and leadership skills. 

Our mission at the SNC is to “educate the public about our environment and the many species it contains, to provide excellent care for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, and to promote healthy living and outdoor activity.” We are a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located on approximately 4.5 acres of land, donated by the City of Coral Springs. We support our mission through donations, programming, fundraising, and grants.  We currently have 2 buildings on site: the Nature Center and the Wildlife Hospital. The goal at the SNC is to rehabilitate and release any native animal that is admitted to our wildlife hospital. Our non-releasable animals (due to permanent injury or exotic status) will enjoy a life in our permanent animal exhibit areas and offer the public an up-close viewing opportunity. Our wide variety of education programs focus on Florida’s native wildlife and their natural habitats. These programs are offered to educate and entertain children, students, and adults of all ages.

Volunteering is an opportunity to share your time, talents, and abilities as an invaluable member of our team. In joining our team, you will learn new skills, teach others what you know, expand your circle of friends with those you share common interests, and enhance and share your knowledge about environmental issues, wildlife, and South Florida.

Our goal is to fundraise the cost of running this program for a year in order to offer scholarships to more students. Currently, all program costs are covered by the participation fee of $50 per student. These fees cover program materials, t-shirts, name tags, snacks, and staff time.