Terwilliger Nature Guide Volunteers

Become a Terwilliger Nature Guide! Orientation The next orientation will be held on August 3, 2013. Click here to register online now! Or complete the form below. 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. For those who choose to attend the trainings starting in early August, a $95 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.  Registration Form   Please enter the following information to register for WildCare's Terwilliger Nature Guide Orientation: * First Name: Required * Last Name: Required * Email: Required * Street 1: Required   Street 2: * City: Required * State / Province: Required AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY AS FM GU MH MP PR PW VI AA AE AP AB BC MB NB NL NS NT NU ON PE QC SK YT None * ZIP / Postal Code: Required * Phone Number: Required   Yes, I would like to receive e-mail from WildCare   Remember me. What's this? * Question - Required - Including yourself, how many people will be attending the orientation?     Question - Not Required - How did you hear about volunteering as a Nature Guide? Please select response Flyer -- LIBRARY Flyer -- VETERINARIAN'S OFFICE Flyer -- OTHER LOCATION My child has participated in WildCare Education Programs I rescued an animal Newspaper WildCare's Newsletter Farmer's Market or Event Craigslist VolunteerMatch Google WildCare Website Internet (other) TV/Radio Other Spam Control Text:   Please leave this field empty

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:

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

During your training you will learn and practice:

	field identification techniques for local wildlife
	innovative outdoor teaching methods
	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 $95 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