Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre: Marine Conservation Volunteers
We have a range of volunteering opportunities available -
- Local volunteering - year round opportunities, for those living locally
- Seasonal volunteering - 5 week-8 month opportunities suitable for students, university placements, recent graduates and career changers
- Living Seas Youth Forum - for young people age 9-24, living locally
A passion and enthusiasm for the marine environment are the only requirements as full training will be provided by our staff team of experts
Local Volunteering
Do you live locally to New Quay and want to become involved in our research and community engagement work? Living Seas Local Volunteers are welcomed to our team all year round. You don’t need a background in science to become involved as full training is provided.
Volunteer tasks include:
- Land-based marine mammal surveys
- Boat-based marine megafauna surveys
- Manning our visitor centre and inspiring visitors
- Entering and checking data
- Updating sightings information
- Assisting with community engagement events such as rock pooling
- Conducting beach cleans
We ask local volunteers to commit to at least 2 hours a week (Monday-Sunday), or more if available. Most of our local volunteers come in on the same day every week e.g. Monday 10am-3pm. However, we can be flexible with days and can work around your schedule. There is a minimum commitment of 8 weeks due to the time needed to train new volunteers.
Please be aware that during the winter, between November and March we are only open on weekdays.
To register download an application form (see below) and return it to cbmwc@welshwildlife.org
Seasonal Volunteering
APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 POSITIONS ARE NOW OPEN!!
We're looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our team for the 2025 field season (24th March - 3rd November) and assist with our marine megafauna research and community engagement work.
Volunteer tasks include land and boat based marine mammal surveys, data entry, running our visitor centre, assisting with community engagement events, beach cleans and more!
These positions are suited to those with a passion for marine life who are looking to gain valuable work experience in the conservation sector or who are undertaking a placement year as part of university.
Volunteer positions are available on the dates below. You must be able to volunteer for an entire block.
- Block 1 – 24th March – 28th April (5 weeks)
- Block 2 – 28th April – 2nd June (5 weeks)
- Block 3 – 2nd June – 7th July (5 weeks)
- Block 4 – 7th July – 8th September (9 weeks)
- Block 5 – 9th September – 3rd November (8 weeks)
For further information on the role, volunteer accommodation etc then please download the full information pack below.
How to Apply
Download an application form (see below) and email it to cbmwc@welshwildlife.org with "Marine Conservation Seasonal Volunteer App 2025" in the subject line.
Deadline - 23:59pm Sunday 2nd February 25, however places will be offered to suitable candidates on a first come first serve basis.
Seasonal Volunteer Information Pack 2025
Living Seas Youth Forum
Are you aged 9-24? Do you live in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire or Carmarthenshire? Do you want to help protect marine wildlife and our seas?If you’ve answered YES to all these questions, then dive in and join our Living Seas Youth Forum!
Our Youth Forum meet once a month via zoom and we also run at least one face to face session per month.
Activities can include marine biology workshops, marine surveys (think dolphin watching and rock pooling), debate club, creative/art/writing workshops, beach cleans, running community engagement events etc. The group is youth led so members give feedback and help to develop activities and mini projects.
Our forum created, developed, filmed and edited a climate change documentary which you can watch here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20i4y8i3VOc
As part of the forum you’ll –
- Experience our amazing marine wildlife and spend time outdoors
- Learn new skills
- Take positive action for our seas and marine wildlife by carrying out research surveys and engagement events
- Inspire others to protect our seas and take climate action
- Meet like-minded young people and have fun!
Interested in joining us?
We’re always looking for new members, so if you’re ready to join our forum, then please send a completed registration form/parental consent or contact Laura Evans at cbmwc@welshwildlife.org or call 01545 560224.
The Living Seas Youth Forum is supported by the Nature Networks Fund. The Nature Networks Fund is funded by the Welsh Government and administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales.
We joined the centre initially as ‘something to do’, but quickly found it so interesting and such a worthwhile project. Helping at the centre and collecting survey data all helps to bring awareness to so many people of the importance of maintaining our precious marine wildlife and we get to meet some great people along the way!Retired