Nature Guide Training

Each year, in spring and fall, Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers a free training program for volunteers interested in becoming nature guides. Trained guides lead hands-on, interpretive walks for K-5 grade students visiting the Arboretum. Guides use creative techniques and teaching methods to stimulate the students' interest and encourage appreciation and respect for the environment.

Nature Guide Training begins every year in mid-March and mid-September. Training sessions are free and cover natural history, basic plant and animal ID, storytelling, environmental education games and activities, teaching techniques and group management on the trails. Guides are provided with a comprehensive training manual that they will add to throughout training.

Training sessions are held on weekday evenings and weekend mornings to allow for flexibility. Make-up sessions may be scheduled for some sessions. The 15-18 hours of training includes two observation tours the first week of the school program. This is an opportunity for new guides to "shadow" experienced guides and get a better sense of how to lead a tour.

Guides not available to lead morning tours may consider leading Afternoon Activity Sessions (Noon-1:30pm) with groups of 10-20 students. These sessions include nature crafts, sensory awareness activities and environmental education games.

Fall 2007 Training Schedule
Training Session	When	Where
New Guide Orientation: Becoming a Nature Guide!	Wed, Sept 12, 6:30-8:30pm	Roosevelt Middle School
Site Orientation	Sat, Sept 15, 10am-noon	Visitor Center, MPA
Teachable Moments & Working with Kids	Wed, Sept 19, 6:30-8:30pm	Roosevelt Middle School
Teaching Fall Ecology to Kids	Sun, Sept 23, 9:30am-1:30pm	Visitor Center, MPA
Fall Refresher Hike for Returning Guides	Sun, Sept 23, 2-4:00pm	Visitor Center, MPA
More Fall Ecology for Kids	Sat, Sept 29, 9:30am-1:30pm	Visitor Center, MPA
Kalapuya Life and Lore, with Ester Stutzman (Special Program - optional)	Tue, Sept 18, 9-10:15am OR Thu, Sept 27, 9-10:15am	Nearby Nature, Alton Baker Park Host Residence

NOTES:

1. Roosevelt Middle School address: 680 E. 24th, Eugene
2. To get to Nearby Nature's Alton Baker Park Host Residence: Park in West Alton Baker Park lot and walk down Day Island Road to the host residence house.
3. Shadowing Tours: All new guides (or guides new to our fall program) will have an opportunity to go on shadow tours with experienced guides, September 24-28. This is a time to glean ideas and "tricks of the trade" from one another!

Click here for a printable Nature Guide Application Form

All scheduled Arboretum walks are free for nature guides and nature guide trainees! These walks are perfect opportunities to increase your knowledge of the natural history of the area.

Commitment
Nature guides are requested to lead a minimum of one morning tour or activity session per week during the school program (mid-April through mid-June in spring, and late September through early November in fall).

Internships
The Arboretum Nature Guide Program is a fantastic opportunity for students. Whether seeking job experience in the environmental education field or just looking for a fun opportunity working outdoors with children, students develop new skills that include: plant and animal ID, interpreting the environment, teaching young children, public speaking, group management.

Course credit is available for this position through the UO Career Development Center, UO Career Center, UO Community Internship Program, UO Environmental Studies Internship Program and various other departments. Credit is also available through the LCC Cooperative Education Program. Please call our Education Manager Fran Rosenthal at (541) 747-1504 for more information.