Invasive Green Crab Volunteer Monitors Wanted!
Feb 4, 2026
Boots in the Mud
Ever wondered what citizen science is all about? Now is your chance to find out! The majority of Crab Team’s 67 monitoring sites is monitored by volunteers. Crab Team volunteers are asked to:
Attend our 3-part training workshop to learn the protocols and how to identify crabs and other pocket estuary critters,
Join a team of 3-5 volunteers at one of our 67 monitoring sites,
Visit the site monthly, April through September, to set & retrieve traps (overnight) and conduct a molt survey,
Record all species observed to contribute to a large scale data set on organisms that live in Salish Sea pocket estuaries,
Have fun in the mud!
This request for volunteers is for Lopez, though there may be openings on other islands, too. Check the UW Crab Team website.
Volunteers should be comfortable carrying a small amount of gear over uneven terrain, occasionally working in imperfect weather conditions, walking in the mud, and handling cool estuary critters. Because the timing of monitoring is tide-dependent, some availability during weekdays and early mornings is helpful. We ask that everyone who joins a team commit to be present for at least 80% of the survey days. No prior experience in ecological monitoring or marine biology required - we will provide all necessary training and equipment. Read our full New Monitor FAQ here.
Sound interesting? We conduct training for new volunteers on an annual basis, typically in March, to fill slots as they open on existing teams. Join us for our 3-part training series, where you’ll become well-versed in green crab ecology and monitoring practices.
Fill out our volunteer interest form from the website to be invited to this year’s March training series
Sign up for our e-Newsletter to receive notification when trainings are scheduled
And course, feel free to email us if you have questions.
Ever wondered what citizen science is all about? Now is your chance to find out! The majority of Crab Team’s 67 monitoring sites is monitored by volunteers. Crab Team volunteers are asked to:
Attend our 3-part training workshop to learn the protocols and how to identify crabs and other pocket estuary critters,
Join a team of 3-5 volunteers at one of our 67 monitoring sites,
Visit the site monthly, April through September, to set & retrieve traps (overnight) and conduct a molt survey,
Record all species observed to contribute to a large scale data set on organisms that live in Salish Sea pocket estuaries,
Have fun in the mud!
This request for volunteers is for Lopez, though there may be openings on other islands, too. Check the UW Crab Team website.
Volunteers should be comfortable carrying a small amount of gear over uneven terrain, occasionally working in imperfect weather conditions, walking in the mud, and handling cool estuary critters. Because the timing of monitoring is tide-dependent, some availability during weekdays and early mornings is helpful. We ask that everyone who joins a team commit to be present for at least 80% of the survey days. No prior experience in ecological monitoring or marine biology required - we will provide all necessary training and equipment. Read our full New Monitor FAQ here.
Sound interesting? We conduct training for new volunteers on an annual basis, typically in March, to fill slots as they open on existing teams. Join us for our 3-part training series, where you’ll become well-versed in green crab ecology and monitoring practices.
Fill out our volunteer interest form from the website to be invited to this year’s March training series
Sign up for our e-Newsletter to receive notification when trainings are scheduled
And course, feel free to email us if you have questions.
Volunteer FAQ for Crab Team Network