The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA) provides training each winter for community members who are interested in becoming city-appointed docent volunteers for the Petaluma Wetlands. Here are some of the activities performed by our docents:

• encourage public visitation to the wetlands by leading tours of Shollenberger Park for the public and birding groups
• educate the public about the value, ecology, history, and beauty of the wetlands
• visit elementary school classrooms and lead school tours at Shollenberger Park using hands-on, science-based activities about a wetlands
• operate docent and volunteer-work programs
• help generate funds for the docent program through grants and public contributions
• work with the city on wetland management issues
• solicit organizations or groups to help with various wetland related activities
• organize and carry out selected maintenance, cleanup, and improvement projects in our wetlands

The training for the docents involves eight Friday mornings, from January 9 thru February 27, 2009.
The course will consist of lectures on wetlands, ecology, plants, birds, other wetlands animals, and hands-on techniques used with school groups.

Docents are asked to make a two-year, 20 hours per year commitment as a docent.  Contacts for further information:  Senior Docent, Bob Dyer, at 763-2934 or nrdyer@comcast.net and Education Chair, Sharon Mansfield, at 778-6558 or sharonamansfield@yahoo.com.  To apply, please fill out the docent application. Obtain an application either by using the button below to download and print a PDF version of the application or contact Bob Dyer. Those accepted into the program will need to pay $40 to offset the cost of a docent manual.

Docent Application Form