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Becoming an Arboretum Docent
2010 Docent Training Information
If you are a Flagstaff-area resident who would enjoy sharing nature with people from around the world, consider joining our docent team. Docents provide tours of The Arboretum grounds and assist with special events throughout the year.
RequirementsFirst Year
Following Years
Training ScheduleThe Arboretum invites those of you who have interest in and/or knowledge of the natural history, botany, or high elevation horticulture of the Colorado Plateau to join The Arboretum’s sixth annual docent training program. This is your opportunity to share your interests and enthusiasm with friendly people from around the world. If this sounds like something you would like to pursue, consider attending The Arboretum’s twelve-week series of instruction directed toward providing informative, one hour tours of the grounds and gardens. Training takes place at The Arboretum every Tuesday between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. from February 2 through April 27, 2010. There is a $75.00 initial training fee, plus membership dues. Once the docent leads 25 hours of tours, $50 will be reimbursed. Enrollment provides special benefits such as expert instruction from local professionals, a field trip, instruction manuals, a docent hat, and a nametag. Folks who are interested in joining the docent program are invited to attend an introductory session on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. before committing to the program. To enter the program, we ask for a one-year commitment, which includes 25 hours of service, maintaining a yearly membership, and attending all classes. For further information or to RSVP for the introductory session, contact Rachel Edelstein at 774-1442 x 110. The following schedule includes the classes and instructors for the 2008 training sessions. Unless otherwise noted, all instructors are staff at The Arboretum at Flagstaff. Following the formal classroom training, docents observe trained tour leaders each of the first four Tuesdays in April. Docents then meet three times during the rest of the year. 2010 Docent Training Schedule All classes are held from 1:30-3:30 pm in the Horticulture
Center classroom unless indicated otherwise. Please contact Rachel Edelstein if
you have any schedule conflicts or questions at (928) 774-1442, ext.110 or
Rachel.Edelstein@nau.edu. February 2 The Ideal Tour - Public Programs Manager Rachel Edelstein will cover basic touring techniques, provide an outline for a general tour, and present "The Top 20 Plants" of The Arboretum. Please come prepared to share with the group a story about your favorite tour. February 9 Botany Basics I –Research Botanist Sheila Murray will introduce the class to some key concepts of botany such as classification systems, floral anatomy, tree anatomy, and a discussion of what is a native plant. February 16 Botany Basics II – Research Botanist Sheila Murray will conduct some hands-on plant identification activities to help docents learn about specific characteristics of native plants. February 23 Research Programs/Invasive Weeds - Join Arboretum Research Scientist Kristin Haskins for an overview of past and current research efforts at The Arboretum. Laura Moser of the Forest Service will help to familiarize docents with invasive, noxious weeds that are a grave threat to native species. March 2 Forest Health - 1:30 - 2:20 p.m. Find out from Mary Lou Fairweather of the Forest Service what is happening to our local stands of Aspen. Pine and Juniper Health and Restoration - 2:40 - 3:30 p.m. with Tom DeGomez of the University of Arizona Extension Office in Flagstaff. He will explain the current state of our ponderosa pine forest and what we can do to manage forests wisely. March 9 Natural History of the Colorado Plateau- Dr. Gwendolyn Waring will present a geographic overview of the Colorado Plateau with an explanation of how native plants have adapted to the high, dry climate of the region. March 16 Spring Break March 23 Field Trip – The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. We will meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and travel in 12-passenger vans to Phoenix. Please bring water, a hat and sunscreen. We plan to return to Flagstaff by 5:30 p.m. (There will be an extra fee TBA for those participating in the field trip. It will include transportation, admission, and lunch.) March 30 Horticulture Department - Director of Horticulture Mark Jarecki will discuss the main theme in each of the gardens. Weather permitting, he will take the group outside. Greenhouse Tour and Propagation Demo– Horticulturist Whitney Rooney will explain how the passive solar and fully automated greenhouses function. We will learn about the business of plant propagation and get the chance to do a small horticulture project as well. April 6 Tour Shadowing w/Rachel Edelstein - Meet in the Courtyard to join staff and volunteers for models tours of the gardens. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and research topics of interest following the tour. Docents in training will conduct practice tours with peers following the model tours. April 13 Tour Shadowing w/Steve Yoder and Practice Tours April 20 Tour Shadowing w/Loni Shapiro and Practice Tours April 27 Docent Graduation and Golf Cart Training - We will meet in the Courtyard to practice driving the golf cart and learn the approved route for golf cart tours. Afterward we will celebrate graduation in the Walter Reichardt living room with refreshments. Staff and current docents are invited to attend. In case of inclement weather, please listen to the local radio stations for school closures. If schools are cancelled due to snow, docent training will also be cancelled and rescheduled. Late snow days should not affect the docent training schedule. When in doubt call 774-1442, ext.110. RegistrationRegistration materials will be available at the introductory session on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. You may complete the Docent Application form, found below, in advance. The $75.00 docent training fee and an additional membership fee (if you are not yet a member) will be required by the first day of training. You may also hand these items to Rachel on the afternoon of January 27 or you can mail fees to Rachel Edelstein, Public Programs Manager, 4001 S Woody Mountain Road, Flagstaff AZ 86001. Please RSVP for the introductory program.
Docent ApplicationName: _________________________________ Date: _________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City: __________________ State: ________ Zip: ___________ Phone (H): ________________________ (W): _______________________ Email: ________________________________________ Education: (Circle last year completed): High School 1 2 3 4 College 1 2 3 4 Graduate Masters Ph.D. Educational Focus: _____________________________________________________ List previous work or experience that may be relative. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Explain special skills, training, and interests. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Time available for volunteer work.Hours per month: _____________ Regularly each month? (circle) Yes No Preferred days: _____________ Preferred Hours _______________ Available for special events? (circle) Yes No |
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