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Managing Visitors and Volunteers in Natural Areas

Next Course:

TBD; planning for April/May 2024

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Course Description:

This is a NATA Core workshop, leading to the Certificate in Natural Areas Management. This training provides guidance on how to integrate visitors and volunteers into natural areas management.

Participants will: 

  • Learn to effectively and appropriately plan recreation opportunities for visitor use, including trails and facilities
  • Apply knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines to develop new facilities as well as evaluate existing ones
  • Create effective and informative interpretation for visitors
  • Develop an understanding of the benefits and challenges of managing a volunteer program
  • Learn about the types of trainings and legal issues required for a volunteer program
  • Learn how to recruit volunteers and the important elements of volunteer job descriptions
  • Understand the importance of providing recognition for your volunteers

Online coursework:

Approximately 9 hours over 3-weeks (on your own, prior to the in-person training).

In-person training:

Two days of in-person training at Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights, FL.

Registration Fee:

$325 (does not include lodging)

*Early registration is available to participants who has previously graduated from one or more of the NATA Core Certificate Courses (contact the training coordinator >1 week in advance for registration code).

 

Lodging:

Shared lodging available at Gold Head Branch State Park for $50/person/night (price subject to change TBA); NATA will coordinate cabin-sharing.

For more information, contact: 

Training Coordinator

Natural Areas Training Academy

nata@ifas.ufl.edu

Three instructors standing in a semi-circle.

Students gathering around a lake.