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WildCare -- Volunteer -- Nature Guides

Terwilliger Nature Guide Volunteers

Nature Guide Exploring with Kids
Nature Guide leading the way up Ring Mountain
Students learning about riparian habitats
Nature Guide enjoying her work
Mrs. T at the Beach
Nature Guide and kids examining grasses at China Camp
Boy leaning over pond

Become a Terwilliger Nature Guide!

Learn about one of the most engaging and fulfilling volunteer experiences in the Bay Area!

WildCare Terwilliger Nature Guides lead nature discovery walks for school children, and receive specialized training on local wildlife indentification and outdoor teaching methods.

Orientations for new Nature Guides are held once a year in early August.

For those who choose to attend the trainings starting in early August, a $105 fee covers all materials and includes a year's membership to WildCare.

Nature Guide Training starts in early August, soon after orientation, and will be provided by experienced naturalists and biologists. The curriculum will focus on local biodiversity with topics including redwood forest ecology, bird identification techniques, spring wildflowers, outdoor teaching methods and much more. The program involves eleven half-day training and field sessions from mid August through the month of September.

WildCare Terwilliger Nature Guide Training graduates commit to leading a minimum of three discovery walks for school children per month. All walks take place on weekday mornings during the school year.

Questions? Please email Eileen Jones, Education Coordinator at education@wildcarebayarea.org or call 415-453-1000 x12. 

Click here to register online...

 

Learn to Teach About Nature

As a Terwilliger Nature Guide you'll learn Elizabeth Terwilliger's renowned interactive approach to discovering wildlife. A series of workshops provides the basic knowledge and training required to comfortably lead small groups of school children on exploratory adventures of some of Marin and Sonoma’s most beautiful areas.

WildCare’s Terwilliger Nature Guide Training will teach you all about the biology, botany, geology and ecology of Northern California with special emphasis given to teaching techniques appropriate for the age groups with which you will be working.

Joining WildCare as a Terwilliger Nature Guide can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! In addition to gaining great satisfaction from successfully stimulating a child's interest in nature and the environment, you will:

bird print bullet points meet other nature lovers and cultivate new friendships
bird print bullet points expand your knowledge of local wildlife
bird print bullet points experience personal and professional growth
bird print bullet points participate in continued learning
bird print bullet points be invited to special WildCare events

During your training you will learn and practice:

bird print bullet points field identification techniques for local wildlife
bird print bullet points innovative outdoor teaching methods
bird print bullet points techniques for leading small groups of children on the trail

Nature Guide Trainings

The training for the program focuses on local biodiversity and includes topics such as redwood forest ecology, bird identification techniques, spring wildflowers and outdoor teaching methods. The program involves eleven half-day training and field sessions from mid August through the month of September. WildCare Terwilliger Nature Guide graduates commit to leading a minimum of three discovery walks for school children per month.

In addition to class time, trainees are required to accompany experienced Nature Guides on actual Field Trips at least three times at the site of their choice.

There is a $105 fee for Terwilliger Nature Guide training which includes the training materials as well as a year’s membership to WildCare.

Commitment Requirements

Once you have completed training, Nature Guides are asked to commit to three 3-hour hikes a month, September through June. All hikes take place on weekday mornings during the school year, and you will be scheduled in advance.

Being a Nature Guide is a great opportunity to share your joy, knowledge and enthusiasm for nature with children!

Four Sites to Choose From

You will choose a site to specialize in:

Ring Mountain, Corte Madera
Muir Woods		 Miwok Meadows, China Camp
Spring Lake, Santa Rosa

Sign Up

For more information or to sign up please contact Jessica Grace-Gallagher, Volunteer Services Manager at 415-453-1000 x21 or volunteer@wildcarebayarea.org