bi HOME   |  ABOUT  |  RESEARCH  |  EDUCATION  |  COMMUNITY SCIENCE  |  OUTREACH  |  NEWS  |  SHOP  |  GIVE
UW_Signature_abbreviated_brown.png
  • slide

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 2021 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.

 

2021 Schedule

All classes begin at 6 pm, Mountain Time.

Date Topic 1 and Speaker Topic 2 and Speaker Time (hrs) 
3-Feb-2021 Introductions - WNP Organizers: Audubon Rockies, UW Biodiversity Institute, UW Extension, WGFD, Wyoming State Parks, VolunteerWyoming Nature Journaling - Alexandria Pawlow: UW Biodiversity Institute 2
10-Feb-2021 Discussion   1
17-Feb-2021 Botany Pt 1 - Dr. Dorothy Tuthill: UW Biodiversity Institute Botany Pt 2- Dr. Dorothy Tuthill: UW Biodiversity Institute 2
24-Feb-2021 Discussion   1
3-Mar-2021 Interpretation - Megan Lineweaver: UW Student History of Nat. History – Dr. Merav Ben-David: UW Dept. of Zoology and Physiology 2
10-Mar-2021 Discussion   1
17-Mar-2021 Ecology – Dr. Merav Ben-David: UW Dept. of Zoology and Physiology Forestry - Tara Costanzo: Wyoming State Forestry 2
24-Mar-2021 Discussion   1
31-Mar-2021 Herpetology - Mason Lee: UW Biodiversity Institute Aquatic Ecosystems – Dr. Bryan Maitland: 2
7-Apr-2021 Discussion   1
14-Apr-2021 Invasive plants – Brian Sebade: UW Extension Entomology - Scott Schell: UW Extension 2
21-Apr-2021 Discussion   1
28-Apr-2021 Birds - Zach Hutchinson: Audubon Rockies Crayfish – Dr. Annika Walters: Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 2
5-May-2021 Discussion   1
12-May-2021 Mammals - Rhiannon Jakopak: UW Student Geology - Melissa Connely: Tate Museum 2

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.