Many people today, are concerned about the environment and wishing that they could do something to help stop climate change, species extinction and more. We are all conserving electricity, cutting down on our driving and driving more conservatively. But many people want to do MORE to protect the world for future generations!

Placer Nature Center has a great suggestion. Community members that want to DO something about the environmental challenges ahead can make a big difference in the quality of our environment by teaching thousands of children each year – how to make choices that help heal our environmental wounds. In addition, they will teach children science concepts and make them more scientifically literate – contributing to better academic performance for the children.

Placer Nature Center invites concerned citizens to become Placer Nature Center docents. A delightful 6-week training culminates in a festive graduation after which simple community members become official Placer Nature Center docents and take their place as an environmental leader. Connecting children and adults with nature makes both people and then environment healthier.

Through Docent Training, participants learn hoe to teach the natural history and cultural science programs offered to school children who visit our site on school field trips. Docent training takes place every Monday and Wednesday. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather! For more information, call Linda Desai at 530-878-6053

Fall 2008 Docent Training Schedule:

September 8, 9AM-11AM

Orientation & Tour of Placer Nature Center

September 10, 9AM-12PM

Curriculum: Senses of Wonder - Preschool, Kindergarten

September 15, 9AM-12PM

Curriculum: Habitat/Life Cycles - 1st, 2nd Grade

September 17, 9AM-12PM

Curriculum: Maidu - 3rd Grade

September 22, 9AM-12PM

Curriculum: Food Chains/Ecology - 4th, 5th Grade

September 24, 9AM-1PM

Curriculum: Watershed - Paddlers/Stream Swimmers

12PM-1PM: Graduation/Potluck

Placer Nature Center, a private 501(c) (3) nonprofit, is open to the public and maintains miles of trails on their 60-acre campus. Programs offered for preschoolers to adults, scouts and other groups, astronomy classes, environmental lectures and seasonal workshops. For information please visit www.placernaturecenter.org or call 530-878-6053. To date Placer Nature Center has served nearly 180,000 students and 200 teachers.

Placer Nature Center is located at the end of Dry Creek Road at 3700 Christian Valley Road, Auburn, CA.