Nearby
Nature's Fall
2008 Alton Baker Park
Nature Guides Program
Thanks for your interest in Nearby Nature's volunteer guide program
in Alton Baker Park. If you love being outdoors, enjoy working with
kids, and want to make a difference in your community, then this
opportunity is perfect for you.
WHAT IS NEARBY NATURE?
Nearby Nature is a non-profit environmental education group dedicated
to fostering appreciation of nature nearby and providing tools for
ecological living. Our staff and volunteers lead nature walks, host
school programs, teach daycamps, and organize environmental restoration
projects in local natural areas. Nearby Nature also teaches classes
for the Network Charter School and serves as the City of Eugene's
official caretaker in Alton Baker Park. We welcome and encourage
the participation of all community members in our programs. For
more information, see our web page at www.nearbynature.org.
Top
THE ALTON BAKER PARK
SCHOOL WALKS PROGRAM
Every fall and spring, Nearby Nature hosts a series of nature walks
in Alton Baker Park for local K-5th grade school children. Trained
volunteer guides lead all of these walks. As many as 2,500 children
participate in our walks each year. Your options as a volunteer
with this program are described below.
· Morning Nature Walks Guide: Start your day off with a
walk in the Heron Woods, a stroll along Beaver Way, or a visit to
Willow Point! This spring, on weekday mornings (9-11:45 am) from
late September through mid-November, volunteer Nearby Nature guides
lead groups of six to nine K-5th graders on interactive nature walks
in Alton Baker Park. Walk topics range from aquatic wildlife to
river ecology to resource conservation to Kalapuya life and lore.
Guides use stories, nature games, and hands-on exploration to help
kids observe, discover, grow, and learn. Most of this flyer is about
this program.
· Critter Quest Pond Study Leader: On many weekday mornings,
specially trained volunteers staff our pond study station and work
with larger groups of 15-25 children. Interested guides may help
with this program and the nature walks program simultaneously if
they complete the special Pond Study Leader Training (see schedule).
Occasionally, volunteers who are not available to lead morning walks
participate only in this part of our program.
· Afternoon Discovery Adventure Leader: On some weekday
afternoons (noon-2 pm), specially trained guides assist staff with
groups that stay for our extended program of Afternoon Adventures.
These guides lead groups of 15-25 kids in pond study, creative writing
and art projects, and nature games. Interested guides may help with
this program and the nature walks program simultaneously. Guides
interested in pond study should complete our Pond Study Leader Training
(see schedule). Occasionally, volunteers who are not able to lead
morning walks participate only in this program.
· Classroom Visits Assistant: Most classes scheduled for
fall field trips will also get a post-walk classroom visit from
Nearby Nature staff and volunteers in late fall or early winter.
Nature guides are invited to help with these school programs. Let
us know if you would like to learn more.
Top
NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
Training calendar (view as a word
document)
If you would like to learn more about being a volunteer nature guide,
afternoon activity leader, or school programs assistant, please
join us on Wednesday, September 10, from 6:30-8 pm for a new volunteer
orientation at the Eugene Public Library (Tykeson Room). At this
gathering we will introduce you to our many volunteer opportunities,
have a slide show highlighting volunteers in action, and provide
you with information on how to get involved in our programs. If
you can't make this meeting, or want to get started sooner, call
Nearby Nature at 687-9699.
NATURE GUIDE TRAINING
In September, Nearby Nature will conduct free field training sessions
at Alton Baker Park for people who want to become nature guides.
You don't have to be a trained naturalist or teacher to lead walks.
We'll provide you with all the knowledge and teaching tools you'll
need to be a great guide.
So what will guide training cover? Our entertaining and educational
trainings will cover wildlife, plants, water ecology, conservation,
games, stories, Kalapuya life, teaching techniques, and park safety.
Printed materials will be provided for each training session. Before
leading your first "real" walk, you will also "shadow"
an experienced guide as he or she leads one of the season's first
school nature walks.
Please see the Fall 2008 Guide Training Calendar for training dates
and times. Note that training sessions take place both on weekday
mornings and on weekends or weekday evenings to allow for scheduling
flexibility. Please contact the Program Coordinator to sign up for
trainings. Make-up trainings may be scheduled if needed, so let
us know in advance if you have a scheduling conflict.
Top
TIME COMMITMENT
Once you have completed guide training, we ask that you lead at
least one walk a week, on a weekday morning, from 9-11:45 am. Guides
are welcome to help with additional walks, afternoon activities,
or school visits as well. If you are unable to lead morning walks,
or do not have time to complete our whole training program, you
are invited to help with afternoon programs or school visits. Volunteers
specifically interested in pond study are also needed to staff our
Pond Study Station. See the training dates for details.
COLLEGE CREDIT AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Course credit for this program can be arranged with professors,
through the UO Community Internship Program (CIP), the UO Career
Center, the LCC Cooperative Education Program, or other appropriate
departments at area colleges. A limited number of internships with
small stipends may be available. Non-stipend internships are also
available. All internships will remain open until filled. (Send
cover letter and resume.) Contact Nearby Nature at 687-9699 for
a job description.
SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP AND T-SHIRT OFFER!
Nearby Nature would like to encourage all volunteers to become members
of Nearby Nature. As a non-profit, we depend on donations to keep
our programs strong and healthy. As a volunteer, we can offer you
a one year membership (which includes a quarterly newsletter and
discounts on programs and merchandise) and a Nearby Nature t-shirt
for just $20! (Membership is usually $25/individual and t-shirts
cost $12 for non-members.) Your donation will also help defray the
cost of printing your extensive training binder. Let us know if
you would like to join our crew!
Nearby Nature
P.O. Box 3678
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 687-9699
Top
|
