
Basic Training Course Schedule

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) |
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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 |