Purpose: To build and train a corps of individuals who will learn about the endangered Florida Panther and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge in order to conduct visitor tours of the Refuge and occasionally participate in ongoing public outreach efforts of the Friends group (i.e., educating visitors at public events such as nature festivals and Florida Panther week activities).
This course is a pre-requisite to Volunteer Training 102, which will be geared toward individuals wishing to make public presentations to community or social groups on behalf of the Friends group and Refuge.
Benefits to you: Through this class, you will learn and be able to educate others about the importance of: Florida Panthers and the lands they need to survive. The class will also touch on the importance of the Everglades to us as humans, basics of bird watching and orchid restoration projects conducted on the Refuge. A variety of instructors will participate, and at least one special guest is expected to join us during the course. After graduation, you will be able to explore and participate in a variety of other volunteer opportunities on the Refuge.
When: Saturday classes will begin April 26 and run through May 31 with "graduation" to be held June 7. There will be one "off week" during the period, determined by the group once classes begin.
Each weekly class will begin no later than 8:30a.m. and will last until about noon: in weeks where training will take place on the Refuge, classes may last until approximately 2:00p.m.
Where: Classes will be held at both the Ritz-Carlton Resort, Naples and at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, which is located 20 miles east of Naples near the intersection of I-75 and SR 29.
Requirements: Participants must be at least 18 years of age and will be required to complete a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer Agreement. Before leading their first visitor tour, volunteers will be required to be certified in CPR and Basic First Aid. Appropriate clothing for Refuge visits will be discussed at the first class meeting. Transportation is not provided, although we will facilitate forming carpools whenever possible .
Cost: There is no cost for this class, although membership in the Friends group is suggested. Individual annual memberships cost $25; student memberships are $10.
Registration & Registration is limited: please register for this course quickly to ensure a space.
Questions: Simply contact Lisa Ostberg at 239-352-4449 or lisa.ostberg@floridapanther.org
Sponsored by: The Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge in cooperation with The Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort of Naples and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
We hope to see you at this exciting class! Please feel free to share or forward this course information to others who might be interested.
