TLC Trail Guide Training
There are only 20 spots available. When you have completed the 12 hour training (trail classes and hike shadowing) and received your background check you will become an official TLC Trail Guide.
Registration has now closed. Spring 2027 training schedule coming soon!
You must attend at least four of the six on-trail sessions, including the two required sessions in the first week. 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. After training, you will shadow a Hike Leader on a TLC guided hike to complete the program.
Fall 2027 Trail Guide Trainings
[Required] Tuesday, September 16th: 4:00pm-6:30pm @ Brumley South
- Join TLC Senior Education and Outreach Manager, Kayla Ebert, and Volunteer and Outreach Associate, Amaya Horner, to explore the southern portion of our Brumley Nature Preserve. We will focus on the important features of Brumley South and and its diverse ecology and geology. [This is a required session]
[Required] Thursday, September 18th: 4:00pm-6:30pm @Williamson
- Join TLC staff Kayla Ebert and Amaya Horner at Williamson Nature Preserve to learn about the preserve's history and best practices in representing TLC during outreach events. [This is a required session]
Saturday, September 20th: 9:30am-12:00pm @ White Pines
- Join TLC Volunteer and Outreach Associate, Amaya Horner, at White Pines Nature Preserve to learn about the preserve's land use history and explore the unique microclimate caused by the Rocky and Deep rivers.
Tuesday, September 23rd: 4:00pm-6:30pm @ Williamson
- Join Patrick Boleman, TLC's Senior Land Manager, to learn about current agricultural practices, prescribed fires, and pollinator restoration projects at Williamson Nature Preserve.
Thursday, September 25th: 4:00pm-6:30pm @ Horton Grove
- Join Matt Rutledge, TLC's Director of Natural Resources, to explore our Horton Grove Nature Preserve. This preserve is connected to Stagville State Historic Site, where we will focus on the land's history as well as the identification of various tree species.
Saturday, September 27th: 9:30am-12:00pm @ Johnston Mill
- Join Senior Education and Outreach Manager, Kayla Ebert, to explore Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. We will learn about Johnston Mill's land use history, common plants found at the preserve, and Kayla's favorite trails to lead programs on!
NEW: Kids Programs Training (October 22nd – 29th)
Current TLC Trail Guides are invited to join us for this three-part Kids Programs training. This is an introductory training to build foundational skills in leading kids programs on TLC preserves. Learn about best practices for kids programming, resources available to you when planning family hikes, and become an approved Kids Programs leader.
You must register for and be capable of attending all three days of the Kids Programs Training. Trail Guides who have professional experience working with kids or have been previously approved by TLC Staff are not required to complete the training to become a Kids Programs leader but are welcome to join! Sessions will be held on October 22nd, 27th, and 29th, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at our Brumley Office.
Thursday, October 22nd: 3:00-6:00pm @ Brumley Nature Preserve
Day 1 of training will cover principles of youth environmental education, the foundations for leading a family program, best practices for working with youth, safety training & scenarios, and lots of example activities for on-trail!
REGISTRATION LINK: Kids Programs Training (Day 1/3)
Tuesday, October 27th: 3:00-6:00pm @ Brumley Nature Preserve
Day 2 will cover our different family friendly events like Get Wild, Nature Storytime, and Kids Nature Festivals, how we incorporate eco-explore community science into our events, safety scenarios, example on-trail activities, and the opportunity to deliver a quick environmental education activity.
REGISTRATION LINK: Kids Programs Training (Day 2/3)
Thursday, October 29th: 3:00-6:00pm @ Brumley Nature Preserve
Day 3 will cover more example on-trail activities, TLC resources for learning and planning, next steps in planning your own youth environmental education event and provide a workshop-style opportunity for you to deliver a short environmental education activity and receive peer feedback.
REGISTRATION LINK: Kids Programs Training (Day 3/3)
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 Ebert 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.
