Registration for the 2024-25 Naturalist Training is now open! Please find the registration link below.
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*Scholarships Available – see base of announcement for details
Newport Bay Conservancy (NBC) is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Upper Newport Bay. The cornerstone of our educational mission is the Naturalist Training course offered annually since 1990, featuring classes and field trips led by experts that provide in-depth knowledge about the natural history and ecology of the Bay and prepare volunteers to share this knowledge with the public as the leaders of our programs. Our Naturalists go on to guide public kayak and walking tours in the Bay, educate students from elementary school through college, lead restoration projects, and share our story with the broader community of our watershed. The course is offered at a nominal fee of $35.
Program Overview
To support leadership development, the course consists of 2 parts:
- Knowledge-Acquisition component (Sept-mid Dec): This includes class sessions on different topics every Thursday evening and Saturday morning through the fall season. Trainees gather knowledge about different aspects of the Bay’s natural history.
- Skill-Building and Practice component (Jan-Jun): This flexible component asks trainees to choose a minimum of two 4-part program training series (out of a total of 6 training options), and collaborate with other trainees to develop and run a new program. During this period, trainees are building the skills and confidence to take on lead roles in our programs.
At the completion of the program, trainees earn a Newport Bay Conservancy Naturalist name badge and certificate and are honored at a summer volunteer celebration.
Prerequisites
For those not yet volunteers with us, the prerequisite for this course is Associate Volunteer Orientation/Training. Learn more about becoming an Associate Volunteer HERE.
~ ~ ~ The full program schedule and requirements for the 2024-25 training can be viewed HERE. ~ ~ ~
Ready to take the leap and become a Newport Bay Conservancy Naturalist?
Complete the Registration Form HERE.
Scholarships
NBC is pleased to offer scholarships to people from diverse groups in support of their participation in the 2024-2025 Naturalist Training. The scholarships will be in the amount of $250 or more (plus a waiver of the $35 fee) with no specific parameters on how the funds are to be spent. Candidates self-identify in their applications as a member of an under-represented group along lines of race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, or gender/sexuality identification. The deadline for the 2024-25 season is Friday, August 30, 2024. To apply, complete our Scholarship Application HERE.
Any questions can be directed to Hilary Cunningham, Education Manager at hilary.cunningham@newportbay.org.
