Weekend Volunteer Naturalist Training: Wildflowers (Beechwood)

THIS SESSION: This session will introduce us to how to use interpret wildflowers, that is, how to help visitors appreciate them beyond identifying them by using science, history and folklore. As our examples, we will be using the spring ephemerals along Beechwood's trails. We begin in the classroom then head out to the trails. If you are looking for a good resource to help you identify wildflowers, we recommend Newcomb's Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb, Little, Brown and Company 1989. We will be using this book during the training.

About the Weekend Volunteer Naturalist Program:

Share your enthusiasm for nature as a weekend trail docent! This new program will train you in casual interaction with visitors to our reserve to connect them to birds and nature while also recording wildlife sightings and, where appropriate, participating in community science projects. The training series will give you a foundation in the general natural history and common plants and animals of our reserves. Here’s how it works: take at least four trainings (you choose!), choose one focus area (birds, plants, trees, water, etc), then volunteer at Beechwood or Succop Nature Park. You might walk the trail, or host a table, or some combination depending on the focus area. We work with you to customize a format that works for you and your topic. Commitment is a two-hour window on Saturday or Sunday, six times during the year. Opportunities to help with other weekend programming may be available but are optional. Please note: because of work with the public, a background check is required. Free. Advance registration for any workshop is required.

The training and volunteering is designed for adults and interested teens 16 and over. (You may have your family help you when you volunteer.)
Training sessions are a combination of classroom and field--dress to be comfortable in both settings!
To begin, come to any four training sessions throughout the coming year. (You may come to them all, if you wish!)
Please sign up for each workshop individually. Advance registration is required.

Watch for more topics throughout the remaining year, including summer bird activity, pond life, insects and summer wildflowers.