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Basic Training Course Schedule

Image by Patrick Hendry

Wyoming Naturalist trainees will receive online instruction on various natural history topics pertinent to Wyoming, as well as nature journaling and outdoor education and interpretation (see tentative schedule below). Classes are taught by professionals from Audubon Rockies, University of Wyoming, and other partner organizations.

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Classes meet online on Wednesday evenings for 15 weeks, beginning on February 5th, 2025. Each class meets from 6 – 8 p.m. Participants are expected to attend all classes and to complete additional assignments between meetings. Most participants report spending a minimum of four hours per week on assignments outside of class. The final class is an in-person field experience at Sinks Canyon State Park on May 17th & 18th, 2025. Attendance at the in-person field experience is required to complete the basic training course. Details are available in the Volunteer Handbook and Policy Guidelines.

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As part of the basic training course, participants have the option to complete a capstone project. Completion of the capstone project is not a required component of the basic training, but the time spent completing the capstone project will count towards the required 40 hours of volunteer service that is necessary to achieve certification.

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The registration fee for the basic training is $200. Reduced fees are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Registration fees will be due after acceptance into the program.

Mark your calendars now for the Annual Meeting of the Wyoming Naturalist Program! The Annual Meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 20th and 21st, 2025 in Casper and is open to all in the WNP. The agenda for this year’s Annual Meeting is not yet set, but plan for a weekend of service, learning, fun, and celebration.

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Tentative 2025 Training Schedule

All classes begin promptly at 6 pm. Pre-class discussions may open 15 minutes early.

Date
6:00-6:40 pm
6:40-6:50 pm
6:50-8:00 pm
Instructor(s)
February 5th
Introduction to program and program organizers
Participant introductions
Participant introductions, continued
Steering Committee
February 12th
Intro to Wyoming ecology
Small group conversations
Stewards of Conservation
Brett Addis, PhD & Parker Everhart, WGFD
February 19th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Making Nature Observations
Jennie Lawrence, WNP
February 26th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Geology
James Mauch, WSGS
March 5th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Mycology
Dorothy Tuthill, PhD
March 12th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Forest Ecology
Paige Copenhaver-Parry, PhD
March 19th
Spring Break - No Class
Spring Break - No Class
Spring Break - No Class
March 26th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Ornithology
Zach Hutchinson, Audubon
April 2nd
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Mammalogy
Rhiannon Jakopak, WGFD
April 9th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Entomology
Scott Schell, UW
April 16th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Herpetology
Mason Lee, UW
April 23rd
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Invasive Species in WY
Brian Sebade, UW
April 30th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Ichthyology
Carli Baum, WGFD
May 7th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Botany
Charlotte Cadow, Nature Conservancy
May 14th
Discuss and share homework
Small group conversations
Climate & Environment
Brent Ewers, PhD
May 17-18th
IN-PERSON FIELD SESSION
Field Sessions
Mutliple Disciplines
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