Updated November 1, 2023
Thank you for your interest in our 2024 Docent Training!
We are so excited to train a new cohort of Authority docents and provide some amazing enrichment opportunities for our long-time volunteers! See below for training agenda and expectations. See you in the preserves! 😊 All past virtual training recordings can be found at this linked page.
If you are not a docent, but want to become one…
We are so excited for you to participant in this training! It is full of great skills and information we do not want you to miss. We want you all to attend as many days of training as you can. We understand if you are not available for all of them, and you will still be able to be a docent. The last two weeks of the training are required for anyone who wants to lead guided hikes at Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge this spring. Sign up for VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON trainings on the Volunteer Portal and don't forget to sign up for Interpretive Host Training.
If you are already a docent…
If you have already participated in a formal docent training, we will not require you to attend every week of training, but the last two weeks of the training are required for anyone who wants to lead guided hikes at Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge this spring. You are also welcome to join us for any days that interests you. Sign up for VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON training on the Volunteer Portal and don't forget to sign up for Interpretive Host Training.
If you just want to join for fun…
If you are not docent, but one of our other amazing Authority volunteers, you are also welcome to join us for any day of training. We’ll be doing a bunch of cool stuff, so we don’t blame you for wanting to hang out with us! Sign up for VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON training on the Volunteer Portal and don't forget to sign up for Interpretive Host Training. If the day you want to join is full, please send Michelle an email and we will note that you will be attending!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email Michelle at mgarcia@openspaceauthority.org. Once you sign up on the Volunteer Portal, she will follow up with you and send more detailed instructions/ agenda for the day-of.
TYPES OF TRAININGS:
Virtual Trainings
Every Wednesday, from January 15th - February 7th
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
For links to all the past training recordings please click HERE.
In-person Trainings
Every weekend, from January 20th - February 11th
10:00am - 2:00pm
Please note: The last two weeks of training are required for ALL DOCENTS who want to lead hikes at Coyote Ridge this Spring. Training on the 31st, 3rd, and 4th will repeat the same information so you only need to sign up for one day that week. Training on the 7th, 10th, and 11th will also repeat the same information so you only need to sign up for one day that weekend.
In-person Interpretive Host Training
Saturday, 24th and Sunday, 25th
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2024 DOCENT TRAINING SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, January 17th
Virtual Meeting: Welcome to Docent Training!
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Expectations and Opportunities for Docents
- What do we have planned for 2024?
- Introduction to education and interpretation
Saturday, January 20th
In-person: Welcome to Docent Training!
Tilton Ranch and the Open Space Authority Office
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Ice breaker activity
- Expectations and opportunities for Docents
- What do we have planned for 2024?
- An in-depth look at Docent resources
Wednesday, January 24th
Virtual Meeting: Guided Hikes 101 and All Things Coyote Valley
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Guided hike requirements
- Making guided hikes your own
- Overview of the Oak Savanah Ecosystem
- RAPPOR Overview
Saturday, January 27th
In-Person: Guided Hikes 101 and All Things Coyote Valley
Spreckels Hill
10:00am - 2:00pm
- Ice breaker activity
- How to incorporate the Open Space Authority Mission into your programs
- Observe guided hike led by Michelle!
- Debrief hike - highs and lows
Wednesday, January 31st
Virtual Meeting: Intro to Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- History/ overview of what makes Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge unique
- Special species of concern
- What will we be doing at Coyote Ridge this year?
Saturday, February 3rd
In-person: Guided Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Part 1
Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Ice breaker activity
- Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge resources and guides
- Successful hike preparation
- Join guided hike led by Michelle
- Debrief hike, highs and lows
- Assignments and homework for next week!
Sunday, February 4th
In-person: Guided Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Part 1
Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Ice breaker activity
- Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge resources and guides
- Successful hike preparation
- Join guided hike led by Michelle
- Debrief hike, highs and lows
- Assignments and homework for next week!
Wednesday, February 7th
Virtual Program: In Depth Look at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Let's hear from some local experts about Coyote Ridge
- In depth look at Coyote Ridge serpentine, flowers, and butterflies
Saturday, February 10th
In-person: Guided Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Part 2
Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Ice breaker activity
- Quick review resources, guides, and successful hike preparation
- Docents take turns practicing leading guided hikes!
- Go over any questions and or concerns for wildflower season
Sunday, February 11th
In-person: Guided Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Part 2
Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Ice breaker activity
- Quick review resources, guides, and successful hike preparation
- Docents take turns practicing leading guided hikes!
- Go over any questions and or concerns for wildflower season
HOW TO LOG HOURS FOR TRAINING:
Please submit hours on the volunteer portal within a week of attending training, and for each session you attend. See below for specific instructions on how to log hours. Please use Project Code: Volunteer Training. Reach out to Gavin at gcomstock@openspaceauthority.org if you need to reset your login credentials.
THANK YOU!
Congratulations! You’ve made it the end of a lot of information.
Here is a fun fact to say thank you: Did you know that burrowing owls put up Christmas decorations? Burrowing owls have been known to collect shiny, metallic objects and place them outside their burrow during the winter nesting season. They also sometimes decorate with their own poop.