Volunteer with us

Seeking friendly folks to steward the lighthouse and welcome visitors. No experience necessary, all training provided!

Docent responsibilities include:

• Opening and closing the lighthouse 
• Welcoming visitors and answering questions
• Sharing available resources from our lending library
• Tracking information on number of visitors 
• Accepting donations and sales of merchandise 
• Collecting observations of flora, fauna, and site conditions
• General tidying and organization of the lighthouse

How does it work? 

• Docents are provided with transportation to Patos Island by State Parks boat from Orcas Island. Docents may also arrive on their own boat.
• Docents camp in a designated, reserved campsite while on the island. (Docents do not sleep in the lighthouse.) Be prepared for primitive camping conditions and to bring your own water.
• While on the island, docents are responsible for staffing the lighthouse each day and completing volunteer tasks on the island, like cleanup or trail clearance.
• Docents write the next chapter in the 132-year history of maintaining the Patos Light! 

All docents must be active members of Keepers of the Patos Light. Renew or begin your membership here: Membership.

Want to learn more? Check out these Frequently Asked Questions (coming soon) about our docent program or fill out our Docent Interest Form.

This is a unique experience for small groups of volunteers who come out to Patos Island for a day of outdoor support tasks. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to view seasonal wildflowers and wildlife including marine mammals. The State Parks boat leaves Orcas Island in the morning then returns to Orcas by mid afternoon.This opportunity is for volunteers ages 18+.

Under the direction and guidance of the Bureau of Land Management we maintain the island loop trail that is 1.5 miles long in addition to campsites, meadow, and other common spaces. 

Maintenance Crew responsibilities include:

-using landscaping and gardening equipment 

-trimming invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry bushes

-removing litter or trail debris

-noting fallen trees, storm damage, or other areas for the Parks Service to address

-following all safety guidelines established by the Bureau of Land Management and KOPL

Our Maintenance Crew primarily works outdoors; the physical structure of the Patos Island Lighthouse at Alden Point is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management which directs repair, cleaning, and upkeep.

All maintenance crew volunteers must be active members of Keepers of the Patos Light. Renew or begin your membership here: Membership.

For more information about our Maintenance Crew, contact group leader Sam Webster at 

samuel.w.webster@gmail.com.

Be an advocate for KOPL and build community engagement throughout our region. Do you have an idea for sharing our mission within your social networks or a broader audience? Your voice matters to KOPL.

Expertise in construction, law, maritime industries, natural sciences, local history, grant writing, photography and MORE are always welcome!

All of our Board Members are dedicated volunteers who bring their time and talents to this powerhouse leadership team. Serving one or more 3-year terms, up to 15 Board Members work together to govern the organization and ensure our community responsibility to the Patos Lighthouse. 

Learn more at Join Our Board.