Training

Basic Training

A photograph of an on-site naturalist training (birding) in the Medicine Bow mountains. Naturalists-in-training will receive on-line instruction on natural history topics including botany, entomology, herpetology, and ecology of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of Wyoming, as well as nature journaling, and outdoor education and interpretation. Classes will be taught by professionals from Audubon Rockies, University of Wyoming and elsewhere.

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.

2023 Schedule (tentative)

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

Advanced Training

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.

Advanced training policies

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.

Advanced training options

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.

Plan to attend the Annual Meeting on Saturday and Sunday, September 23 & 24, 2023, in Casper.

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!