The Virtual BioPark is a living monument to the natural wonders of the New World tropics and deserts. Our constituency is the growing millions who traverse the Internet in search of knowledge and entertainment.

Like many non-profit organizations, IBF invites community voluntarism. Our global community lacks political borders and cultural barriers; we embody unity borne of ecological common cause. We enthusiastically welcome international participation in IBF programs without prejudice.

Volunteers enjoy the opportunity to contribute to the education of thousands of Virtual BioPark visitors each year and have special opportunities to participate in IBF field projects and programs.

Here are some opportunities for your volunteer involvement right now!

• Become a Virtual BioPark docent! What is a docent? A docent is a volunteer teacher, professionally trained or with expertise in some area vital to the BioPark, who delivers popular interpretive and educational presentations and similar institutions... like The Virtual BioPark! Join us in extending our educational message to your community's schools and youth organizations. Give educational presentations on our behalf using the Internet-based Virtual BioPark as your teaching tool. You can use the host school's Internet access (usually found in the library). We'll teach you how to use the Virtual BioPark as a learning resource; how to gear your presentation to the appropriate age level; how to coordinate your program with the school curriculum; and how to make contacts and schedule your presentation.
• Development of the Children's Learning Center. This kindergarten- through-eighth grade project will present curriculum-coordinated environmental education units for formal classroom use by teachers and BioPark docents. We welcome active involvement in this project by professional educators, natural history interpreters, and others with skills that correspond to our Mission Statements and principles, and interest in children's environmental education. Individuals with experience in grant writing and application are also needed to expand this work.
• Gallery page content for the Virtual BioPark.We welcome manuscript or html submissions for consideration of publication in The Virtual BioPark. Contributions are critically reviewed for content accuracy, production quality, and compatibility with IBF mission and philosophy, and are fully credited. Topics must address some aspect of the natural history or indigenous culture of North American deserts, the Sierra Madre, or tropical forests of the New World with some tie in to dinosaurs, reptiles,etc.
• Participation in IBF field project D.R.A.G.O.N.S., the Tucson-based reptile rehabilitation center. We invite your active volunteer participation.
• Marketing and Development. You can aid our progress by networking with your friends on the Internet and telling them about IBF. We are supported primarily by benevolent contributions, advertising, and the Virtual Gift Shop. Direct e-mailing to people you know (NOT spamming!) is a very effective way to direct more people to The Virtual BioPark. Tell them about our site.

Please contact us via e-mail if you would like to volunteer your special skills and knowledge to make the BioPark programs successful.

E-mail: Admin@biopark.org