Program Partner Opportunities
Anchorage Waterways Council
The Anchorage Waterways Council is a non-profit organization comprised of community members concerned about our waterways.
Mission
We work to protect, restore and improve these waterways through watching our creeks and hands-on learning opportunities. Members of the Anchorage Waterways Council believe that the creeks, lakes and wetlands are vital to the health of our natural and social communtity.
Opportunities for Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska Participants
Monitor Water Quality
Participate in the Anchorage Citizen's Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP) sponsored by the AWC. Water Quality Monitors go through a 12-hour training to learn how to chemical monitor creeks, select a monitoring site and receive a kit. WQ Monitors are expected to commit to at least 1 year and to sample their site once a month in the winter and twice a month in the summer.
Monitor Macroinvertebrates
Learn to assess creek health by sampling macroinvertebrates population and then conduct a stream bioassessment.
School Education
Several opportunities exist for assisting schools with outdoor education programs, volunteer projects, monitoring, and replanting steam banks.
Restoration Projects
Assist with Campbell Creek restoration projects occurring in late May through June. Work might include assisting with revegetation of the stream bank, installation of a coir logs, and leadership of elementary school children and/or neighbors.
Creek Walks
Attend or lead periodic educational creek walks by AWC.
Required Workshop
Attend a Community Leadership and Stewardship workshop that is required for INCPA certification.
Contact Information
Attn: Holly Kent, Executive Director
Anchorage Waterways Council
P.O. Box 241774
Anchorage, AK 99524-17724
Phone: (907) 272-7335
FAX: (907) 277-9207
Email: holly@anchoragecreeks.org
Web Page: www.anchoragecreeks.org
Campbell Creek Science Center - Bureau of Land Management
The Campbell Creek Science Center is a 10,500-sq. ft. outdoor education facility operated by the Bureau of Land Management with assistance from many partners and volunteers. Located on the undeveloped Campbell Tract, the Center offers access to creeks, forests, and meadows. Outdoor science programs promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the sub-arctic environment. Some programs are offered to the general public, but most require reservations and are tailored to the needs of each group. The Center is available for use by local school children, teachers, parents, clubs and organizations for classes, and meetings on subjects related to natural resources.
Mission
The BLM Campbell Creek Science Center provides quality outdoor learning experiences for students of all ages and serves as a regional educational resource for scientific inquiry into natural resource topics.
Opportunities for Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska Participants
Site-Specific Training
Earth Ranger Academy Training (Fall): This training focuses on the concepts behind and methods used to instruct this three-day program for sixth-graders.
Design-A-Science Day Training (Fall): Learn to conduct custom outdoor science programs on a variety of environmental science topics to a variety of audiences.
Shadowing Opportunities and Instruction Experience
Sign up as a volunteer and shadow any of the educational programs.;
Once trained and comfortable presenting programs, become a volunteer instructor for programs.
Science Knowledge
Fireside Chats: This monthly event (October through May) features local scientists who present their latest research through a family-friendly, slideshow format.
Midsummer Night's Science Series: Resource professionals lead trips on Campbell Tract to discuss and demonstrate field techniques used to monitor the health of the land and natural resources.
Field Techniques and Experience
Backyard Discoveries Program: Assist with natural inventories and monitoring efforts including water quality monitoring and bioassay, insect collection and curation, plant collection, Fourth of July butterfly counts, fall migratory bird banding, annual spring point bird counts, and weather monitoring.
Stewardship Projects
The Science Center has many stewardship opportunities. Please call for a list of available projects.
Required Workshop
Attend the Orientation Seminar that is required for INCPA certification.
Contact Information
Campbell Creek Science Center
Bureau of Land Management
6865 Elmore Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: (907) 267-1247
FAX: (907) 267-1258
Email: Luise_Woelflein@blm.gov
Web Page: www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/sciencecenter.html
Audubon Alaska
The National Audubon Society was founded in 1905 and has maintained an office in Alaska since 1977. Audubon Alaska has 2100 members, five local chapters, and a full time staff of three. The goals of Audubon Alaska are to 1) achieve concrete results in conservation of nationally and internationally significant habitats and populations; 2) build public awareness and understanding of the ecological relationships in the natural world; and 3) build a culture of conservation and an environmental ethic that contribute to a healthy, sustainable ecosystem. Audubon uses education, science and advocacy to carry out these goals.
Mission
The mission of Audubon Alaska is to conserve Alaska's natural ecosystems focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of current and future generations.
Opportunities for Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska Participants
Bird Academy
The Audubon Bird Academy is a hands-on, two-day immersion experience in birds for 4th and 5th grade students held at the Campbell Creek Science Center once a month during the school year. The program is designed to inspire interest and excitement about birds and their habitats, providing a base of knowledge and skills that will enable a lifetime study of birds. The Bird Academy relies on volunteer presenters to work with the classes that come to the Bird Academy. The Bird academy offers both curriculum and on-site training opportunities.
Attend full-day training sessions conducted one-two times per school year, depending on demand and volunteer turnover. Only rudimentary knowledge of birds is necessary.
Opportunities to "shadow" Bird Academy presenters are available.
Field Work Opportunities
Limited fieldwork opportunities can be found during the Bird Academy through the mist netting and bird banding activities. Presenters may assist and observe the ornithologists who hold permits to conduct bird banding.
Required Workshop
Attend a Field Techniques workshop that is required for INCPA certification.
Contact Information
Alaska State Office
175 L Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 276-7034
FAX: (907) 276-5069
Email: rcapitan@audubon.org
Web Page: www.audubon.org/chapter/ak/ak
Eagle River Nature Center
The Eagle River Nature Center is located at mile 12 Eagle River Road, trailhead of the historic Iditerod Trail/Crow Pass Trail. The Center is a rustic log cabin interpretive center with displays, a small nature gift shop, snacks, beverages, and restrooms.
Mission
The mission of Eagle River Nature Center is further the educational and interpretiv opportunities available to park visitors; promote the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the historical, natural, and recreational resources within the chugach State park; provide for the daily operation of the Nature Center; and assist with the implementation of park improvements, enhance safety awareness, and promote educational programs compatible with this mission.
Opportunities for Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska Participants
Site Specific Training
Attend naturalist training at the Nature Center
Shadowing Opportunities
Shadow Eagle River Nature Center naturalists as they lead programs on various topics in Chugach State Park
Science Knowledge
Opportunities are available year-round on weekends to attend science talks and walks.
See the Eagle River Nature Center for the current schedule.
Fieldwork Experience
Opportunities are available to assist with the butterfly count and to learn and assist with water testing.
Stewardship Projects
Stewardship projects are available. Inquire with the Nature Center for specific project needs.
Required Workshop
Attend a workshop on Alaska Natural History that is required for INCPA certification.
Contact Information
Eagle River Nature Center
32750- Eagle River Road
Eagle River, AK 99577
Phone: (907) 694-2108
FAX: (907) 694-2119
Email: info@ernc.org
Web Page: www.ernc.org
State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Education Program
Alaska Department of Fish and Game's (ADF&G) Wildlife Education program within the Division of Wildlife Conservation seeks to enhance appreciation and conservation of Alaska's wildlife resources through education. Education programs are hands-on, non-advocacy-based and are aimed at all ages and types of user groups.
Mission
The Mission of the Division of Wildlife Conservation is to conserve and enhance Alaska's wildlife and habitats and provide for a wide range of public uses and benefits. The Division of Wildlife Conservation recognizes wildlife as a public trust belonging to all Alaskans. We respect the diversity of public values associated with wildlife and support uses that reflect public support and sound principles of conservation. We are an organization of individuals committed to interacting professionally with one another and the public and to using scientific data and public input to conserve Alaska's wildlife.
Opportunities for Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska Participants
Education Knowledge and Techniques
Wildlife Education offers workshops in Project Wild and Alaska Wildlife Curriculum. These hands on interdisciplinary programs are excellent supplements for teachers, naturalist interpreters and those working in youth summer programs. Activities in the curricula are correlated to the Alaska state standards and the boy scout and girl scout badge systems.
Wildlife Education (WE) volunteers will attend WE training before giving their first presentation.
Instruction Experience
Volunteers provide 30- to 50-minute presentations to kindergarten through eighth grade students about Alaska wildlife. Volunteers will make use of ADF&G kits and resources. Depending on experience, volunteers may also help to create kits.
Science Knowledge
Intermittent ADF&G lectures feature local experts in the field of wildlife biology, ecology and management. Presentations are usually one hour in length and provide ample opportunity for questions and idea sharing.
Required Workshop
Alaska Natural History workshop (Standard III) offered twice a year in cooperation with the Eagle River Nature Center.
Contact Information
Wildlife Education
Division of Wildlife Conservation
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone: (907) 267-2168
FAX: (907) 267-2433
Email: elizabeth_manning@fishgame.state.ak.us
Web Page: www.state.ak.us/adfg
Trailside Discovery
Established in 1982 by the Alaska Center for the Environment, Trailside Discovery offers day camp and overnight experiences to students who are of preschool ages through high school. Programs focus on a variety of topics in the life and earth sciences, outdoor skills, Native Alaskan heritage, nature exploration, and teen leadership.
Mission
The mission of Trailside Discovery is to provide a broad range of outdoor environmental education experiences for students of all ages and from all economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.
Goal
Trailside Discovery’s goal is to create an atmosphere conducive to expanding interest, appreciation, and knowledge of the natural environment, natural sciences, natural history, and outdoor skills and leadership.
Opportunities for Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska Participants
Shadowing Opportunities
Contact us about observing our week-long day camps during the summer. Programs each day are seven hours long.
Site-Specific Training
INCPA candidates are welcome to attend our Day Camp Staff Training conducted annually in Late May or early June.
Instruction Experience
INCPA instruction experience is available to Trailside staff and interns who lead our programs.
Contact Information
Trailside Discovery
807 G Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 274-5437
Email: trailside@akcenter.org
Web Page: www.akcenter.org
University of Alaska Fairbanks - Cooperative Extension Service
UAF Cooperative Extension Service has offices in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Soldotna, Juneau, Delta, Nome, and Tanana with staff available to answer questions and provide information on land resources and other topics relevant to Alaskans.
Mission
The Mission of UAF Cooperative Extension Service is to interpret and extend relevant research-based knowledge in an understandable and usable form and to encourage the application of this knowledge to solve the problems and meet the challenges that face the people of Alaska.
Opportunities for Interpretive Naturalist Certification Program of Alaska Participants
Alaska Stream Team Biomonitoring
Education Level Training designed to train the educator to take students on to the stream collect habitat, chemical, and biological stream data and report results to UAA.
Shadowing Opportunities
Shadow community school, K-12, and adult education stream walks, pond explorations, and storm drain stenciling education programs.
Shadow watershed model classroom demonstration with 4' by 4' Anchorage specific styrofoam plastic coated model with water circulating depicting the water cycle with groundwater, surface water and rain water.
Shadow groundwater flow model classroom demonstration with plexiglass model depicting the flow of groundwater and non-point source pollution related-pollutants.
Citizen Monitoring Training: Learn how to do chemical water quality stream monitoring
Required Workshop
Attend a Field Techniques workshop that is required for INCPA certification.
Contact Information
UAF, Alaska Cooperative Extension
2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd. #118
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-6307
FAX: (907) 786-6311
Email: dffes@uaa.alaska.edu
Web Page: www.uaf.edu/coop-ext
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