Wildlife Photograph

Catch the Volunteer Spirit this Fall at Ijams

Monday August 22, 2005
Read here to find out how to become an Ijams Volunteer Naturalist. Adventure awaits!

    Many people are impressed with how a 160-acre nature center with a staff of thirteen can offer so many diverse and exciting environmental based programs and recreational opportunities. Ask any staff member and they will let you know that none of it could be possible without loyal volunteers. Trail maintenance, school field trips, fundraisers, and administrative support are dependent on volunteers.
    As the school year is getting under way, many students and teachers are looking forward to getting outside at Ijams for a GO! Hike. GO! Hikes are opportunities for area school students to get outside and experience the natural world through games, hikes, and live animals. However, in order to accommodate large groups of school children, Ijams must enlist the aid of Volunteer Naturalists.
    Volunteer Naturalists lead hikes, games, environmental activities, and much more when students visit for GO! Hikes.  Naturalists attend six hours of fun and informative training that will prepare them to explore the fields, forests, and ponds of Ijams with children. Volunteer naturalist schedules are flexible and ideal for students, stay at home parents and retirees. Many naturalists volunteer twice a month and some volunteer twice a week during the GO! Hike season.  
    There are many benefits of becoming a Volunteer Naturalist. Naturalists get to share their knowledge and enthusiasm of the natural world with children and other volunteers, receive gift shop discounts, attend the Know More lecture series and help fulfill the mission of Ijams Nature Center.
    Please contact Misty Gladdish for more details and training dates at 577-4717 ext. 12 or mgladdish@ijams.org.

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