Become a Volunteer Facilitator | Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Teach Project WILD, WET, and Learning Tree Workshops

Thousands of educators across Colorado attend one or more of scores of Project WILD, Project Water Education for Teachers (WET), Project Learning Tree (PLT), or Project Food, Land & People (FLP) workshops each year. These workshops (nearly all!) are planned and conducted by members of an amazing team of volunteer facilitators. These folks are the indispensable 'lifeblood' of WILD, WET, PLT, and FLP.

DOW wildlife manager teaching a class of volunteers. Who are these people who 'teach the teachers'?

They make their livings in a wide variety of professions, from classroom teachers to nature center naturalists to park rangers. They all tend to have had, and continue to have, direct, hands-on experience using WILD, WET, PLT, or FLP in the teaching they do professionally. They are committed to the methods and activities they have learned through these programs, and, as importantly, they are committed to sharing their experiences and teaching others ways to teach about the natural world.

Could this describe you, too?

Benefits

Recognition as a role model and leader in Colorado environmental education.
Professional development opportunities, including an invitation to the annual facilitator conference.
Support from and networking with other volunteer facilitators.
Ready access to the latest environmental education curricula.
Access to the most current information about wildlife, forestry, water, and agriculture in Colorado.
Incentive awards.
Professional growth and development.
Personal and professional pride and satisfaction in your accomplishments.

The Commitment

Volunteer facilitators are expected to plan, lead, and conduct at least one workshop per year. The time commitment required will vary depending upon the type of workshop you choose to present. You may partner with other facilitators in some or all aspects of the workshop, thereby dividing responsibilities.

Facilitators are also asked to attend the annual facilitators conference at least every other year during their service. These conferences are not only fun, entertaining, and enlightening—they're really inexpensive! (Forty dollars in 2006.)

To Become a Volunteer Facilitator

Review the Volunteer Facilitator Position Description.
Take (or already have taken) at least two teacher workshops (WILD, WET, PLT, or FLP, in any combination) prior to applying.
Complete and submit a Facilitator Application.
Wait for notification—applicants will be notified by e-mail or phone.
Once selected, attend the two-day training program for which you were chosen. This training is required of all volunteer facilitators.

Your initial training consists of learning from the best experienced, seasoned facilitators. They will help you absorb what will seem to be an impossibly large amount of material in a short period of time, sharing some of the ins-and-outs and tools and techniques they have successfully employed. You will learn some proven ways to teach the material as well as the 'how-to's and logistics of putting a successful workshop together.

Then you're on your own? Hardly!

After training, you will have the knowledge and resources to schedule, plan, and conduct your own teacher workshop. You will also have, however, a large network of experienced facilitators to call upon for help or advice as you learn the ropes. Others who have been there can help out with what works. . .and what doesn't. In the end, you and your teacher-students will have had an outstanding learning experience!

If your are interested in the Volunteer Facilitator Program, please contact Tabbi Kinion, 303/291-7165.