Wenatchee Naturalist Course Announced

We invite any curious adult who enjoys learning about the natural world to become a Wenatchee Naturalist.  The Wenatchee River Institute, formerly Barn Beach Reserve, is proud to announce this new program to be held in the Wenatchee.  The course will feature the Wenatchee River watershed’s diversity of life, with a focus on the shrub-steppe, low-elevation forest, and  riparian eco-regions.  You will join other motivated and interesting adults who want to learn together about our local native plants and animals, habitats, and current natural resource issues. The aim of the Wenatchee Naturalist program is to cultivate and launch a corps of well-informed citizens who will actively volunteer for stewardship and conservation education projects within our community.  This class is modeled after successful Master Naturalist programs in over 40 other states.

The 12-week Wenatchee Naturalist I course consists of 50 hours of training including lectures, extensive handouts, expert guest speakers, hands-on labs, and 3 all-day guided field trips.  Students will keep a field journal and complete a citizen science project during the class. Upon course completion, participants are required to give-back 20 hours of service during the next calendar year.  Throughout the class, students will be introduced to local non-profits and agencies who welcome volunteers in the field.   The class will run on Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:30 p.m., Feb. 1- Apr. 18, 2012, at the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust office in downtown Wenatchee. The course tuition is $300 and scholarship opportunities are available.  Free clock-hours and college course credit are available for teachers.  The class is limited to 25 participants.  Visit the Wenatchee River Institute website (http://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/) to see the class syllabus and to read “frequently asked questions.”  Download the course application form and mail it in to reserve your spot!

Susan Ballinger is the course designer and instructor.  As a biologist, naturalist, and educator, Susan Ballinger is respected for her depth of knowledge and ability to inspire.  Raised in Montana, Susan developed a love of the outdoors that led to advanced degrees in Biology and Education and a career-long commitment to making science understandable to the non-scientist. Her passion for experiential learning is evident in her award winning Shrub-Steppe’n Up Saddle Rock and River of Power science curricula for regional school districts.  She is the recipient of numerous local and state awards, and her original work has been published in scientific journals and human-interest magazines. An energetic volunteer, she serves as State Director of the Washington Native Plant Society, Board member of Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, and Field Botanist for the University of Washington. When not researching, writing and teaching, you’ll find Susan in the foothills she loves, often joined by her husband Paul and their three young adult children.

For information, please contact Wenatchee River Institute