Volunteer of the Year

Meet Our 2023 Volunteer of the Year!

The National Aviary has named O’Hara Township resident Sarah Jones its 2023 Volunteer of the Year in honor of her years of service and dedication to the Aviary. Having served more than 3,000 hours for nearly a decade, Sarah is recognized for her strong teaching capabilities, excellence in visitor engagement, and an ongoing commitment to the National Aviary’s mission to inspire respect for nature through an appreciation of birds,

2023 Volunteer of the Year, Sarah Jones.
Sarah Jones

“Volunteers such as Sarah Jones are crucial to the National Aviary, and we are beyond thankful for her invaluable contributions to helping us fulfill our mission,” says Teri Grendzinski, Volunteer Manager. Sarah’s amazing work with our educational programming and engaging personality have immensely impacted the youth who walk through our doors. We are beyond proud to call Sarah Jones our Volunteer of the Year.”

Jones came to the National Aviary in 2014 after working more than 24 years as an educator for the Wilkinsburg school district. During that time, she garnered experience with students of all ages, including acting as a first-grade teacher at Turner Intermediate Schools. Her deep love for birds and nature combined with her ability to teach led her to seek a volunteer position at the National Aviary.

“Before my career as a volunteer, I would often sit on my porch with bird seed and even occasionally place scarecrows in the backyard to attract birds. I had this strong desire to get closer to birds while wanting to learn more about them and what I could do to protect them and their natural habitats,” says Jones. “When my daughter was younger, the Aviary was one of her favorite places to visit, so when seeking a volunteer position after retirement, choosing the Aviary was a no-brainer. After several months of volunteering, I was thrilled to begin teaching the kids who visit the Aviary through field trips and other educational outreach. Using the training and skills I have received from the incredible staff, I have been able to share that knowledge with young minds.”

Jones has become an incredible asset to the Aviary, having worked with an array of the Animal Ambassadors who reside here, starting with smaller species like Eastern Screech-Owls, working up to macaws, and one of her personal favorites,  Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Dumbledore. Jones also acts as a strong advocate for the Aviary’s conservation efforts, making sure to educate her students and other guests thoroughly on the ways they can help save birds and protect their natural habitats.

“Two of the main things that bring me back to the Aviary every day are the joy on a child’s face when they meet one of our birds for the first time, and the kindness of the staff whom I get the pleasure of working with, those factors alone are what I like to call a huge chunk of wonderful”, says Jones. “I could not have received the Volunteer of the Year Award without the support of the other committed volunteers serving alongside me.”

Jones continues to share her love of birds and the Aviary with her husband, their three daughters, and her loving grandson.

Interesting in becoming a volunteer? The National Aviary is accepting applications for a range of volunteer positions. Those interested can click here to learn more about open positions and the application process.

In The News

See All News

Guam kingfishers hatched at National Aviary among first released into wild in nearly 40 years | CBS News

Three Guam kingfishers that hatched at the National Aviary have been released on an island in the Pacific, marking the first time their species has been in the wild in nearly 40 years.

Read More »

Guam Sihek Released to the Wild | National Aviary

Nine Guam Kingfishers have been released to the wild on Palmyra Atoll, making them the first of their kind to reside in the wild since the 1980s.  

Read More »

Take an Enchanting Journey through Forests this fall at the National Aviary! | National Aviary

Explore the Aviary’s new fall seasonal theme, Forests Presented by Peoples; learn more about the creatures who inhabit these woodland areas during TWO new daily activities, and say “hello again!” to the adorable Eurasian Eagle-Owl making her Animal Ambassador debut!

Read More »

  Extinct in the Wild birds head to new home ahead of first wild release | National Aviary

Precious Guam Kingfishers arrived on the Pacific Island as part of a project to re-establish a wild population 

Read More »

National Aviary works to bring back bird that’s extinct in the wild | CBS News

The National Aviary may be based in Pittsburgh but the important work they do spans the globe - playing an instrumental part in saving a bird that's been extinct in the wild for 40 years.

Read More »