If you love marine life, we have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.
"The New England Aquarium has over 800 volunteers and interns each year," according to media director Tony LaCasse.
Sarah French got the chance to spend the day with one of those volunteers, Maggie Notopoulos.
"The day starts at 8 a.m. We’re walking between the two seal exhibits, testing water quality, doing morning cleans, and we start off doing all the fish prep," Maggie explained to Sarah.
Part of that fish prep includes making toys for the marine mammals or "fishsicles" as they’re called. To make them, volunteers put fish and small toys into buckets. They fill the buckets up with water and put them in the freezer. Once they are set, the ice toys are tossed into the water for the marine mammals to enjoy.
"It’s an opportunity to build trust with the animals, especially in the marine mammal department," Maggie said.
Maggie already has a couple years at the aquarium under her belt, and doesn’t plan to leave anytime soon.
"It’s so hard to leave working hands on with these animals because they’re so beautiful and intelligent, and to be able to showcase how amazing the wonderful world of the ocean is, is really why I’m here," Maggie said.
Most positions at the aquarium require volunteers to work one full day a week for at least six months.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer at the aquarium: http://www.neaq.org/get_involved/volunteering_and_internships/volunteering/index.php
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