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Training

Basic Training | Advanced 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 will meet on Wednesday evenings, over 16 weeks, for one or two hours (see schedule below), and starting at 6 pm. Participants are expected to attend all classes, and to complete additional assignments between meetings. The final, in-person field experience is scheduled for May 21 & 22, 2022, location to be decided. Attendance is required to complete the basic training course. Participants must also complete and pass all assignments and assessments. Details are available in the Volunteer Handbook and Policy Guidelines.

Participants should also plan to attend the Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 24, to honor the service of Wyoming Naturalists. Location of the 2022 meeting is yet to be determined.

The fee is $175. Scholarships are available; for information contact Wyoming-Naturalists@uwyo.edu.

 

2022 Schedule (subject to change)

All classes begin at 6 pm, Mountain Time.

Date Topic 1 and Speaker Topic 2 and Speaker Time (hrs) 
2-Feb-2022 Introductions - WNP Organizers: Audubon Rockies, UW Biodiversity Institute, UW Extension, WGFD, Wyoming State Parks, VolunteerWyoming Nature Journaling - Kathy Lichtendahl, Conservation Storyteller 2
9-Feb-2022 Discussion   1
16-Feb-2022 Geology - Melissa Connely, Geological Consultant Botany - Dr. Dorothy Tuthill, UW Biodiversity Institute 2
23-Feb-2022 Discussion   1
2-Mar-2022 Interpretation - Linley Mayer, Wyoming State Parks History of Nat. History – Dr. Merav Ben-David, UW Dept. of Zoology and Physiology 2
9-Mar-2022 Discussion   1
16-Mar-2022 Native Fish and Mussels - Stephen Siddons, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Aquatic Invasive Species - Eric Hansen & Stephanie Estell, Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2
23-Mar-2022 Discussion   1
30-Mar-2022 Mammals - Rhiannon Jakopak, UW Haub School Ecology - Dr. Merav Ben-David, UW Dept. of Zoology and Physiology 2
6-Apr-2022 Discussion   1
13-Apr-2022 Invasive plants – Brian Sebade, UW Extension Entomology - Scott Schell, UW Extension 2
20-Apr-2022 Discussion   1
27-Apr-2022 Birds - Zach Hutchinson: Audubon Rockies Forestry - Tara Costanzo, Wyoming State Forestry Division 2
4-May-2022 Discussion   1
11-May-2022 Herpetology - Mason Lee, UW Biodiversity Institute Mycology - Dr. Dorothy Tuthill, UW Biodiversity Institute 2
18-May-2022 Discussion   1

Advanced Training

To maintain annual certification, Naturalists must complete eight hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer service each year. 2022 advanced training options will be posted soon!

Plan to attend the Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 24, 2022, to honor the service of Wyoming Naturalists. Location of the 2022 meeting is yet to be determined.