Community Service & Internships

If you enjoy learning about the environment and how to live more sustainably, you are probably interested in learning what you can do to get involved. There are many opportunities including volunteering, workshops, and internships that give kids of all ages a chance to take action in the quest for a more sustainable lifestyle and community. 

College Internships

The City of Fort Lauderdale Sustainability Division often has opportunities for college students and recent graduates to gain experience through an internship position. This is an excellent opportunity if you are looking to further your experience and knowledge in sustainability or related fields. Recent intern projects have included:

• Researching revisions for local recycling ordinances
• Electricity and greenhouse gas emission analysis
• Developing website content and educational materials
• Researching best practices for disposal of horse manure

For more information, please contact City of Fort Lauderdale Human Resources. 

Be on the Lookout

When riding walking, riding your bike, or riding in a car in Fort Lauderdale, you probably find yourself looking out the window or simply asking about different things you see as you pass by. Believe it or not, curiousness can be a big help to the City of Fort Lauderdale as we all work together to protect the environment! If you ever witness someone harming the environment, it is important to get an adult’s attention. Ask the adult to call the City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service line 24 hours a day at (954) 828-8000 to report things like:

• Someone pouring or putting anything into a storm drain
• People dumping trash in parks, waterways, or other public places
• Anyone vandalizing a waste or recycling bin
• Overflowing manholes
• Our ballfield, athletic complex, parks, or street lights on during the day
• Someone hurting an animal on purpose

IMPORTANT: You should never approach a stranger, nor call us without permission. Please ask a trusted adult to call for you or for permission to call.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is a great way to make a difference; one small action can influence others and create a big impact. It is also a great way to earn community service hours which many schools and youth groups require. Students planning on receiving a Standard Diploma from a Broward County Public High School are required to complete 40 hours of community service as part of the Service Learning Graduation Requirement. Students may start earning Service Learning Hours for graduation as soon as they are promoted to ninth grade. Learn more about the Service Learning Graduation Requriement.

Are you ready to lace up your closed-toed shoes, slather on some sunblock, and don a pair of gardening gloves? Check out voluntee opportunities in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County below. Don’t forget, if you are under the age of 18 you will need a parent or guardian to help register you for volunteer opportunities. 

	Become a volunteer with the City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department.
	Hugh Taylor Birch State Park accepts volunteers to help out with visitor services, natural resources, and maintenance. Volunteers must be over the age of 14. Learn more about becoming a volunteer at this state park located in Fort Lauderdale.
	The Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale accepts volunteers over the age of 14. Learn more about volunteer opportunities on their website.
	Volunteer at the South Florida Wildlife Center, one of the largest wildlife hospitals in the country. Volunteers assist with administrative duties, animal care, maintenance, and landscaping. Volunteers must be over the age of 14, and volunteers that are 14 or 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Learn more about becoming a Volunteer at the South Florida Wildlife Hospital on their website.
	Broward County Outreach runs the Gardening 4 Good program at the Community Gardens at Marando Farms. Marando Farms is a local and organic farmers market and nursery. Volunteers help with feeding animals, cleaning pens and watering pools, planting, tending to gardens, and harvesting. Volunteers must be over the age of 8, and all volunteers under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Visit the Marando Farms website and the organization’s HandsOn Broward Page to express interest in volunteering.
	Participate in Electronic Recycling at ARC Broward. Volunteers sort electronic materials according to category, help to disassemble CPUs, test electronics to determine if they can be re-sold, and assist in keeping the warehouse clean and orderly. Volunteers must be over the age of 16, and all volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Visit the organization’s HandsOn Broward Page to express interest in volunteering.
	Participate in a restoration project at Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale with Kids Ecology Corps the third Saturday of every month, February through June. Volunteers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Learn more about volunteer opportunities available through Kids Ecology Corps. Visit their HandsOn Broward Organization Profile to register.
	Teen volunteers at the Broward County Animal Care Division can gain community service hours as office and customer service assistants, adoption and kennel assistants, groomers/bathers, and photographers/artists. Volunteers must be over the age of 14. Visit Broward County’s website to learn how you can become an Animal Care Volunteer.
	Learn about our eco system and help preserve historic plant and animal habitats throughout Broward County with the Broward County Parks and Recreation Department Natural Area Work Days. Volunteers under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Visit the Natural Area Workday webpage to view the schedule, and download a volunteer application. The Broward County Parks and Recreation Department hosts EcoAction Days where volunteers help remove invasive species and clear out trash from natural areas in our county’s parks. Volunteers must be over the age of 13. Learn more about getting involved in an EcoAction Days.
	Broward County Coastal Cleanup is an annual event sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. Participants can choose from 13 different locations hosting cleanups throughout the county. Volunteers must be over the age of 8 and all volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
	HandsOn Broward hosts an annual Summer Service Camp for teens ages 13-17. Campers earn 45 community service hours over the course of one week while taking part in service projects with local nonprofit organizations. Learn more about Summer Service Camp contact information, and download a brochure

The Humane Society of Broward County has several opportunities for students to help out furry friends who need a home. 

	Children over the age of 14 can ear community service hours by participating in the Teen Volunteer Program, Teen Club, or by becoming an Adoption Ambassador/Advocate.
	Children ages 11-13 can gain service learning hours by become part of the Helping Hounds program.
	Mitzvah Mutts is an opportunity for Bar/Bat Mitzvah students to fulfill their project requirement. Visit the Humane Society of Broward County’s website for more information on Teen Programs and Service Project Ideas for your school, youth group, team, or organization.

Students looking for a summer-long volunteer commitment can become a Student Summer Recreation Program Assistant with the Broward County Parks and Recreation Department.

• Program Assistants work at Neighborhood Parks including: Boulevard Gardens Community Center, Franklin Park, Lafayette Hart Park, Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park, Roosevelt Gardens Park, and Sunview Park.
• Program Assistants assist with the setup, conducting, and cleanup of activities
• Hours are 8AM-6PM, Monday- Friday
• Volunteers are needed continuously throughout the summer
• By volunteering, students will earn invaluable leadership skills by having a responsibility to the youth and public.
• If you are interested in filling out an application visit the Broward County Parks Volunteer Projects page. You will find the Student Summer Recreation Program Assistant application under the “Seasonal” heading.
• For more information call (954)- 357-8700