Classes meet on Wednesday evenings, over 15 weeks, for 1 3/4 hour, starting at 6 pm (see schedule below) . Participants are expected to attend all classes, and to complete additional assignments between meetings. Most participants report spending a minimum of four hours per week on assignments outside of class. The final, in-person field experience is scheduled for May 20 & 21, 2023, at Sinks Canyon State Park; attendance is required to complete the basic training course. Details are available in the Volunteer Handbook and Policy Guidelines.
Participants should also plan to attend the Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 23, 2023, to honor the service of Wyoming Naturalists. Location of the 2023 meeting is yet to be determined--but plan for a fun weekend of learning and service.
The fee is $175. Scholarships are available; for information contact Wyoming-Naturalists@uwyo.edu.
All classes begin at 6 pm, Mountain Time.
Date | 6:00-6:30 pm | 6:30-6:40 pm | 6:40-7:45 pm |
---|---|---|---|
Feb. 8 | Introduction to program and program organizers | Participant introductions | Participant introductions, continued |
Feb. 15 | Nature Journaling - Kathy Lichtendahl, Conservation Storyteller | ||
Feb. 22 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Geology - Melissa Connely, Geological Consultant |
March 1 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Entomology - Scott Schell, UW Extension |
March 8 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Native Fish and Mussels - Stephen Siddons, Wyoming Game and Fish Department |
March 15 | Spring break--no class | ||
March 22 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Ecology - Dr. Merav Ben-David, UW Dept. of Zoology and Physiology |
March 29 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Birds - Zach Hutchinson, Audubon Rockies |
April 5 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Invasive plants – Brian Sebade, UW Extension |
April 12 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Mammals - Rhiannon Jakopak, UW Haub School |
April 19 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Aquatic Invasive Species - Eric Hansen, Wyoming Game and Fish Department |
April 26 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Forestry - Tara Costanzo, Davey Tree Expert Co. |
May 3 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Herpetology - Mason Lee, UW Biodiversity Institute |
May 10 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Botany - Dr. Dorothy Tuthill, UW Biodiversity Institute |
May 17 | Discuss and share homework | Small group conversations | Mycology - Dr. Dorothy Tuthill, UW Biodiversity Institute |
May 20-21 | In-person field session! Saturday 8 am until Sunday 3 pm |
To maintain annual certification, Naturalists must complete eight hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer service each year. See below for 2023 advanced training options.
Naturalists are encouraged to take advantage of trainings available beyond those offered by the Wyoming Naturalist Program. However, only 4 hours of non-WNP training may be applied towards advanced training each year. Keep in mind that trainings that are required for a volunteer service project count towards volunteer hours.
To determine if a non-WNP training will count towards your 8 hours, use this key.
Wilderness First Aid, May 20-21, with CPR on the evening of May 19, University of Wyoming Campus. https://www.longleafmedical.com/may23-wfa-laramie.html. $300 (reduced for UW students)
What is That Bug?! An Insect identification Workshop, June 9, Wyoming BioBlitz, Medicine Lodge State Park. Two-hour workshop taught UW PhD candidate (and insect enthusuasts) Mel Torres. Registration is required.
Join Naturalists from all across the state for a weekend of service, learning, fun, and celebration--including, but not imited to, owl banding, river cleanup, recognition of WNP sevice and training, and a visit to Speas Fish Hatchery. We will be based at the Isaak Walton League Lodge Saturday morning through Sunday morning, with free camping on site. Watch for more information as the weekend approaches.
Please be sure your service hours are up to date two weeks before the meeting, so that you can be properly honored!