Please visit our Volunteer Hub page and make an account to register for the trainings. When you have completed the 12 hour training (zoom classes, trail classes, and shadow) and received your background check you will become an official TLC Trail Guide! Please email our Education and Outreach Associate, Kayla Ebert, at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Spring 23 Cohort Schedule
Zoom Meetings:
You must attend or watch all zoom meetings before becoming an approved TLC Trail Guide. Each meeting will be recorded so that if you have to miss one, you can catch up.
Session 1- March 22nd, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Introductions, What is TLC?, Trail Guide Roles, Expectations of Trail Guides, and Volunteer Hub Orientation
Session 2- March 29th, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Basics of Interpretation on Trail, Safety
Session 3- April 5th, 4:30pm-5:30pm
Common Programs, Orientation to each Public Preserve, Age Group Management Strategies
On-Trail Trainings:
You must attend at least three of the five in-person trail trainings. These trainings are to help expose you to trails at TLC preserves as well as give you examples of how to lead a group on trail. Each training will cover points of interest at the preserves, cover general safety on trail, and go over land use history and current TLC projects.
Thursday, March 23rd: 4:00-6:00pm @ White Pines Nature Preserve
- Join Nick Adams, TLC’s Land Stewardship Manager (West), to explore our White Pines Nature Preserve. We will cover popular trails, points of interest, and native plant ID. Come ready with your questions about flora, because Nick is the staff member to ask!
Saturday, March 25th: 2:00-4:00pm @ Horton Grove Nature Preserve
- Join Kayla Ebert, TLC’s Education and Outreach Associate, to explore our Horton Grove Nature Preserve. This preserve is attached to the Stagville State Historic Site, where we will focus on the land’s history as well as the ecological diversity at the site.
Thursday, March 30th: 4:00-6:00pm @ Williamson Farm and Nature Preserve
- Join Heather Szaro, TLC’s Farm Coordinator, and Umar Muhammad, TLC’s Land Steward Associate (East), to explore Williamson Nature Preserve. We will learn about the history of the preserve, the active farmers on the land, as well as trail maintenance techniques as we explore some of the most popular trails.
Sunday, April 2nd: 9am-11am @ Brumley North Nature Preserve
- Join Kirsten Bohl, TLC Trail Guide, to learn about Brumley North and some of the history of the preserve. We will also some Spring native and invasive plant ID on the hike, as well as focus on tips for leading youth programs and group management on trail.
Thursday, April 6th: 4:00-6:00pm @ Brumley Nature Preserve (Private Entrance)
- Join Bo Howes, TLC’s Director of Land Protection and Stewardship West, to learn about birding and the history of TLC while we explore a private entrance to Brumley that we use for programs and ease of access to the southern pond.
As we schedule experts for in person trainings here are examples of past offerings:
General Mushroom ID with TLC Trail Guide Susannah Goldston
Birding on TLC Properties
Native Plant ID on TLC Properties
Interpretation on Trail
Best Practices for Leading Youth Groups
NC EE Certification
This training counts as 12 hours of Criteria II towards your NC Environmental Educator’s Certification. Please download the form below for Kayla or Diquan to sign at the end of the course to gain your 12 EE hour credits. You do not need this form if you are not participating in the certification program.
