The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA) provides training each fall 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 six Friday mornings, from September 14 to October 19, 2007.
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