Nature Guide Training

Click here for a printable Nature Guide Application Form

Each year, in spring and fall, Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers a free training program for volunteers interested in becoming nature guides. Trained guides lead hands-on, interpretive walks for K-5 grade students visiting the Arboretum. Guides use creative techniques and teaching methods to stimulate the students' interest and encourage appreciation and respect for the environment.

Nature Guide Training begins every year in mid-March and mid-September. Training sessions are free and cover natural history, basic plant and animal ID, storytelling, environmental education games and activities, teaching techniques and group management on the trails. Guides are provided with a comprehensive training manual that they will add to throughout training.

Training sessions are held on both weekdays and weekends to allow for flexibility. Make-up sessions may be scheduled for some sessions. The 15-18 hours of training includes two observation tours the first week of the school program. This is an opportunity for new guides to "shadow" experienced guides and get a better sense of how to lead a tour.

• Shadowing Tours: All new guides (or guides new to our spring
  program) will have an opportunity to go on shadow tours with
  experienced guides, April 19–23. This is a time to glean ideas
  and "tricks of the trade" from our well-seasoned nature guides!

All general public Arboretum walks are free for nature guides and nature guide trainees!

These walks are perfect opportunities to increase your knowledge of the natural history of the area.

Commitment

Nature guides are requested to lead a minimum of one morning tour or
activity session per week during the school program (mid-April through
mid-June in spring, and late September through early November in fall).

Internships

The Arboretum Nature Guide Program is a fantastic opportunity for
students. Whether seeking job experience in the environmental education
field or just looking for a fun opportunity working outdoors with
children, students develop new skills that include: plant and animal
ID, interpreting the environment, teaching young children, public
speaking, group management.

Course credit is available for this position through the UO Career
Development Center, UO Career Center, UO Community Internship Program,
UO Environmental Studies Internship Program and various other
departments. Credit is also available through the LCC Cooperative
Education Program. Please call our Education Manager Fran Rosenthal at
(541) 747-1504 for more information.

Download a printable schedule of Nature Guide Training for Spring 2010 (PDF, 84 KB) 

“Spring Discovery Tours” are April 19–June 11.

NOTES:

In the event of schedule conflicts, some makeup sessions may be arranged.

Questions? Call the Arboretum Education Office at 747-1504, mtpisgfr@efn.org.

Directions to Training Locations

Mount Pisgah Arboretum: 34901 Frank Parrish Rd. Eugene. Meet at the Visitor Center. Follow 30th Avenue east, over the I5 freeway. Follow the brown and white signs to the park.

Wayne Morse Family Farm: 595 Crest Drive, Eugene. Take Willamette south to 32nd St. Bare to the right and go up Crest Drive. Morse Ranch is on the right.

Nearby Nature: From Alton Baker Park main entrance . . . follow the road east, through the park, past the Cuthbert Amphitheater. The Park Host Residence & Yurt are on the right just past the community gardens. Park in the gravel lot by the gardens.