🐻 At a glance
- 📍 Northern Minnesota, USA
- 📅 Typical season: May–October
- 🏠 Confirm current food and accommodation arrangements
- 🆓 No participation fee
- 💵 Stipends may apply to qualifying stays
ℹ️ Voluntouring.org update — 2026
The sanctuary’s official website confirms that it is recruiting volunteers for the 2026 season. Its current volunteer information lists a typical need from May 1 to October 15, gives preference to stays of at least one week, requires volunteers to be over 18, and notes that on-site housing may be limited.
Because some practical details may have changed since the host originally submitted this listing, please confirm accommodation, meals, dietary arrangements, schedule and stipend eligibility before booking travel. Check the sanctuary’s current volunteer information.
What type of host are you? 🏡
- Organization/NGO
What are you looking for help with?
- Administration 🔑
- Animal keeping 🐓🐴
- Building 🛠
- Cleaning 🧹
- General Help 💁♀️
What’s the mission of your community? 🎯
To promote peaceful coexistence with bears and people through observation & education.
How many volunteers could you host? 🎎
- Up to 20 volunteers
When would you need volunteers? 📅
- May 1-October 1
How many hours of help per day? ⏱
6-8 hours for 4-5 days/week is ideal but could be less as work hours are dictated by bear behavior & activity.
How many days of help per week? 🌒
4 days of help per week – 3 days off
Are accommodation and food included? 🏠🍜
Yes, we offer food and accommodation
What type of accommodation can you provide? 🏕
- Dormitory/shared rooms 🛌
Diet – nutrition information 🥗🥤
We can accommodate allergies, vegans & vegetarians.
Fees transparency 🆓🔍
No fees
VISA – could you provide Visa support/info/invitation letters? 🛂
No, we cannot help with Visa but we can offer assistance 💁♀️
Volunteers’ benefits 🏆🏅
Gain in the field experience with American Black Bears & learn about all flora & fauna in the Northwoods of Minnesota. Research opportunities are available as well as photography instruction.
What to do in your free time 🚴🚣🦒
MN is the land of 10,000 lakes! Fishing, boating, birding and hiking are all things that can be done on your day off. We are within an hour’s drive of Voyageurs National Park, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the Superior National Forest. There are also many quaint resort towns with lots of coffee shops, stores, and restaurants to explore in the area.
Language 🗣🇬🇧
English
Geography 🌳
We are in Northern MN, almost to Canada. We are surrounded by lakes, rivers and wetlands. In the Spring, it can be 30-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and rainy. During summer months, it can be 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit. In the Fall, it can snow and be as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Bringing lots of layers and rain gear is recommended.
How to get to your site ✈ 🗺
Volunteers can fly into & be picked up by staff from Duluth airport, Hibbing airport or International Falls airport. If volunteers fly into Minneapolis airport, they must take a shuttle to get within 2 hours drive of our sanctuary (ideally Duluth).
Is there internet access? 🌐
Yes!
CONTACT DETAILS 🔍📧
How to apply
Interested in this bear sanctuary volunteer opportunity?
Send a short introduction and a few lines about your motivation, possible dates and any relevant experience to:
voluntouring.freelist@gmail DOT com
Please use this exact subject line:
Depending on the number of requests received, only shortlisted applicants may be contacted. We will then share the host’s direct contact details. Why are the host’s contact details hidden?
Please note: applications posted in the comments cannot be processed. Use the email instructions above.
Visit the Animal Sanctuary volunteer programs section 🐢🐵