Core Training for Community Tree Stewards, Earth Team, and Wonders of Wildlife Volunteers

Program combines volunteer training for five organizations

Do you enjoy learning about New Hampshire’s outdoors and sharing with others? Are you concerned about the future of our state’s forest, wildlife, and water resources? Are you a member of a conservation commission, land trust, or watershed association? Have you thought about becoming more involved in conserving natural resources?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, consider applying to N.H.’s Natural Resource Volunteer Program. This fall (2008), Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Division of Forest and Lands, N.H Fish and Game, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and County Conservation Districts, will hold a 12-week training for the program, which combines trainings for Community Tree Stewards, Earth Team, and Wonders of Wildlife volunteers.

Topics include

• New Hampshire ecosystems, watersheds, changing land use, and conservation and protection.
• Wildlife species and habitats.
  
• Soil and water resources.
• Working with local governments for natural resource management.
• Tree identification, evaluation, planting, and care.
• Threatened and endangered plant and animal communities.
• Invasive species.
  
• Sustainable living/climate change.
• Integrated landscaping.

In return for their training, graduates agree to volunteer 40 hours over a two-year period through one of the partner agencies’ programs, or design a volunteer project in their own communities. Program graduates have helped conduct natural resource inventories, permanently protect thousands of acres of land, develop community gardens and landscapes, discover new populations of endangered species, work with the N.H. Invasive Species Committee, deliver educational programs, write and publish articles, measure some of the largest trees in New Hampshire, and join conservation commissions, watershed associations and land trusts. Since 1991 the program has worked in more than 100 New Hampshire communities.

Course details

The fall course will be offered at community colleges in Stratham and Manchester from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Wednesdays in Stratham and Fridays in Manchester, beginning September 3 and September 5. The series runs through November 21.

Participants can take the course for four undergraduate college credits through Great Bay Community College, Manchester Community College, or the University of New Hampshire. For more information about this option, call Mary Tebo at 629-9494, ext. 140.

The $75 course fee includes extensive resource material. A limited number of scholarships are available to individuals unable to pay. 

To apply to the N.H. Natural Resources Volunteer Program, download an application or contact Pam Doherty at 629-9494 ext. 120 for more information.