Mote aims to recruit new volunteers at Oct. 8 reception

Free coffee, juice and pastries will be provided for interested volunteers passionate about the protection of marine life here in west Florida.

The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is angling to bait new volunteers with a reception set for 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 8 in the Buchanan Room on the third floor of Mote’s main lab facility at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota.

Mote is looking for aquarium guides to speak with visitors about exhibits and animals, along with cashiers and greeters for the facilitiy's membership desk, with weekend help especially needed. Current volunteers and staff will also speak briefly about the nature of the work they do, and then will remain available throughout the reception for other questions.

Officials at Mote say that volunteers are vital to the aquarium’s mission of informal science education, the lab’s world-class marine research, and other efforts from animal care to administration.

The available positions are for ages 18 and older, and volunteers will receive special training sessions with Mote scientists and staff.

To further explore volunteer opportunities online, visit www.mote.org/volunteer.

And for more information and to RSVP for the reception, contact [email protected] or 941-388-4441, ext. 438.

Caleb Motsinger can be reached at [email protected]