Become a Advocate of Native Plants
What is the Native Plant Advocate Program?
The Native Plant Advocate Program is the updated revision of our beloved naturalist program. We have realized that the information presented during the previous training sessions is of value and interest for more than just those who are able to serve as Preserve naturalists. Everyone should be able to champion native plants. That’s why our re-envisioned program now offers two different training options to expand your native plant knowledge and acquire the skills that will enable you to share that knowledge with others.
What are the Native Plant Advocate Program Options?
BHWP Interpretive Naturalist Program: Free with the fulfillment of two years of post-training volunteer service. ($475 refundable deposit)
Become an advocate for the Preserve, our community and the native plants upon which all life in the ecosystem depends with this year-long training program. Share the importance of native plants for our planet and provide invaluable support to the Preserve that shares your passion for these amazing organisms.
- Enrollment in this program grants you attendance for all remaining Knowing Native Plant Classes in person.
- A refundable $475 deposit is required for program participation. The deposit will be refunded after the initial 2 years of volunteer service.
How to Become a BHWP Interpretive Naturalist
Volunteers have been a mainstay at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve since its inception. A BHWP Interpretive Naturalist is an individual passionate about native plants and the natural world. They undergo an intensive training program and use their knowledge to give back to the BHWP community. The Naturalist Training Program began more than 20 years ago and sought to inspire the appreciation and understanding of native plants in the natural world as well as the landscape. It is our hope to continue and broaden this program to include a variety of opportunities for volunteers to share the experience and knowledge they gained with the general public.
This new, dynamic program consists of three major components: an initial training course, volunteer service hours and continuing education.
YEAR 1
- Complete Core Training Video and Assessment
- Complete 16 Hours of volunteer service at BHWP
- Hours are earned at a 1:1 ratio and tracked via SignUpGenius
- 8 hours minimum acting as an interpretive naturalist
- 8 hours by serving as an interpretive naturalist or other capacity at BHWP
- Complete a minimum of 8 hours of continuing education
YEAR 2 AND BEYOND
- Complete 20 Hours of volunteer service at BHWP
- Hours are earned at a 1:1 ratio and tracked via SignUpGenius
- 10 hours minimum acting as an interpretive naturalist.
- 10 hours by serving as an interpretive naturalist or other capacity at BHWP
- Complete a minimum of 14 hours of continuing education
BIN VOLUNTEER HOURS FILLED BY:
- Leading public guided walks, education programs, lectures, workshops etc.
- Serving as a roving BIN
- Serving as Native Garden Guide
- Native Garden Guides provide education and advice on native plants and the benefits they provide our environment to shoppers in the Nursery Marketplace.
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Plant Propagation, Gift Shop, Admission Gate, Nursery Cashier, Grounds and Facilities, Committee Participation, Administrative, Deer Fence Patrol
CONTINUING EDUCATION OPTIONS:
- Attend education programming at the Preserve or other environmental institutions focusing on environmental topics. CEUs are earned at a 1:1 ratio
- Please provide the program title, description, duration and proof of attendance
- Develop a native plant-related BHWP program; earned at a 1:1 ratio
- Engage with native plant-relevant media; earned at a 1:2 ratio
- Includes podcasts, books, journal articles and films
- Please provide title, overview, duration and notes
The BHWP Interpretive Naturalist (BIN) Training Program:
A BHWP Interpretive Naturalist (BIN) is passionate about the natural world and desires to share this passion with others. Using their knowledge, they engage their community by building connections to the natural world.
BINs experience an intensive training program led by the region’s leading environmental experts and focused on native plants. BINs then use their knowledge to give back to the greater Preserve community. The BIN Training Program began in 2006, seeking to inspire the appreciation and understanding of native plants and their relationship to the broader natural world.
Today, the BIN Training Program has expanded to offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to share the experience and knowledge they gained with the public. This expanded, dynamic program consists of 4 major components:
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- Initial core curriculum consisting of 6 recorded programs followed by an assessment
- Further learning through the year via the in-person Knowing Native Plant series
- Experiential learning through volunteer service
- Continuing education through various lectures and other programs
Program Goals:
- To provide the Preserve with a corps of well-trained and knowledgeable volunteers who will serve as educational resources on native plants and the ecosystems they support. BINs will be available to offer tours, host on- and off-site programs, assist customers in the Nursery Marketplace and help the Preserve advance its mission. Upon completion of the training, BINs will have a working knowledge of the Preserve, the local ecosystems, and the relationship between native plants and a healthy planet. Our goal is for BINs to continue to train, pursue further knowledge and bring their training to fruition through Preserve volunteerism. During training, BINs will shadow, be mentored by and co-lead walks with seasoned BINs. They must also complete volunteer service hours and participate in continuing education programs.
- Increase the appreciation and use of native plants in the landscape
- Further the reputation of BHWP as the premier source of native plant knowledge in the Mid-Atlantic.
Who Should Consider the BIN Program:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Enthusiastically interested in learning about the importance of native plants, natural history, ecosystems, the environment and biodiversity
- Passion for sharing your natural resource knowledge with others
- Good communication skills; ability to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds in a friendly and courteous manner
- A desire to contribute volunteer service toward the conservation of natural resources and natural areas within your community
- Reliability, punctuality and flexibility with schedules and last-minute changes
BHWP Interpretive Naturalist Responsibilities:
- Commit to volunteer service post-training
- Research current seasonal highlights to share on tours and for personal growth and development
- Arrive 30 minutes before guided tours or programs to check in with Preserve staff/volunteers regarding any last-minute updates that may affect the walk
- Provide timely notification of schedule and availability changes
- Complete continuing education requirements
- Attend walks, talks, lectures or other occasional special training programs
BHWP Interpretive Naturalist Benefits:
- Free Individual Membership for one year
- Access to BIN-only walk opportunities (“Wonder Walks”)
- Access to Knowing Native Plant recorded library
- Full refund of course fee following the successful completion of 2 years of related volunteer service (including the initial training year)
