South Florida residents who want to volunteer their time to benefit the marine community have plenty of options.

For example, if stranded whales or dolphins tug at your heart, you might want to contact the Marine Animal Rescue Society (MARS).

MARS is a Miami-based non-profit organization “dedicated to the conservation of marine animals through rescue, rehabilitation, research and education.”

Founded in 1996, the society relies primarily on volunteers to rescue, transport, rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals, working within Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. MARS also coordinates with local, state and federal law enforcement and lifeguards, who are commonly first responders during stranding events.

Volunteers complete a Basic Rescue and Rehabilitation Training class from MARS staff, including stretcher work of a small cetacean. To get involved, visit the MARS Facebook page online at www.facebook.com/MarineAnimalRescueSociety.

The Sea Turtle Awareness Program in Dania Beach would also welcome your efforts.

This program invites volunteers to show up at the Sea Grape Pavilion Wednesday and Friday evenings in July, where they are greeted by a park ranger in a campfire setting to learn about sea turtle existence in the past, present, and future. The program also features sea turtle displays, informational brochures and a short presentation with a question and answer session.

While the presentation is taking place, the ranger will scout the beach in search of a nesting sea turtle. Following the presentation, a beach walk may be conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Park Service.

The City of Fort Lauderdale has compiled a list of several local outfits working to protect sea turtles at www.fortlauderdale.gov/public_services/environmental_services/seaturtles....

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) in Dania Beach is a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through science, education, rule making and record keeping.

The IGFA also operates the Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, which is always in need of volunteers to “give back to the fish,” said Jeff Mackin, IGFA education director.

“Volunteers are essential to the success of the IGFA,” Mackin said. “Whether you’re interested in fishing, boating, the environment, or just giving back to your community, we can definitely use your ideas and time.”

The museum is currently seeking volunteers to work in several clerical, administrative and public education positions, Mackin said. To view those opportunities, visit the IGFA website at www.igfa.org/Educate/VOLUNTEER-OP- PORTUNITIES.aspx.

Volunteer opportunities are not restricted to adults, of course — kids are encouraged to get involved, too. The SeaStar Foundation in Fort Lauderdale is “dedicated to the understanding and protecting of the marine environment by enlisting the enthusiasm of youth and assisting in field research addressing specific problems occurring in reefs and oceans.”

SeaStar founder and CEO Gale Myers says, on the foundation’s website, that his organization uses “two approaches toward this monumental task. The first approach enlists youth by stimulating their curiosity to learn more about this fascinating world. The second part is to assist in field research addressing specific problems that are occurring in our reefs and oceans.”

SeaStar has assisted Broward County marine magnet programs, allowing high school students to conduct coral reef studies along Florida’s barrier reefs. They’ve also explored the great white shark predation patterns in False Bay, South Africa, “producing many hours of exciting footage from small boats observing these apex predators feed.” Visit the SeaStar at www.seastarfoundation.org.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is one of 14 marine protected areas that make up the National Marine Sanctuary System. Administered by NOAA and jointly managed with the State of Florida, the sanctuary protects almost 3,000 square nautical miles of waters surrounding the Florida Keys, from south of Miami westward to encompass the Dry Tortugas, excluding Dry Tortugas National Park.

The sanctuary has several volunteer programs designed to help its staff “build a stewardship ethic in the community.” To lend a hand, visit www.floridakeys.noaa.gov/volunteer_opportunities. Though it’s not strictly a marine museum, the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science is always looking for volunteers.

“Volunteering comes in many forms, and we definitely have a job that fits everyone’s skills, experience, and interests,” said Dawn Formica, the museum’s volunteer coordinator. “These include ushering in the AutoNation IMAX Theater, greeting museum guests, teaching visitors about our living creatures in the reef tank or taking people on a ‘ride to Mars.’”

To learn more about volunteering for the museum, visit www.mods.org/volunteer.htm.

Not all volunteer opportunities within the marine community are just about protecting the ocean and its creatures. The Marine Industry Cares Foundation (MICF), which was founded in 2010 by marine industry leaders in South Florida, is a non-profit organization that brings the maritime and local communities together to raise money and awareness for local charities supporting children and families.

The MICF is perhaps most recognized for its annual Spin-A-Thon, the first of which took place in 2009 and raised $30,000. Supporters also planned and held community events, such as golf tournaments, mixers and toy drives. To date, the MICF has raised more than $500,000 through the Spin-A-Thon, which has directly benefited two local charities — Kids In Distress (KID) and Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC).

“Those events connected the marine industry with the local community through team-building activities, which created lasting memories and changed lives,” said executive director Gordon Connell.

“Our foundation works to build a lasting relationship between the marine industry and the local community,” Connell said.

Connell said the foundation strives to connect the marine industry with local businesses, government, private organizations and individuals.

“We want to ensure a maximized, sustained impact in our community and make the marine industry a charitable presence in our city,” he said.

Visit MICF at www.marineindustrycares.org.