Visting Teacher-Naturalist Program
The Orchard
Calling all teaching naturalists, ecologists, trackers, nature educators, outdoor accessibility advocates, and more!! Are you an educator or expert in a field related to nature connection? NBNC is excited to welcome you and your work into our community for a week of teaching and learning through our new Visiting Teacher-Naturalist (VTN) Program.
This program is designed to spotlight the expertise, knowledge, and skills of Black, Indigenous, POC, rural, immigrant, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The VTN will teach across several NBNC programs, such as Forest Preschool, our ECO partnership with local schools, and adult and community workshops. We can’t wait to learn from you!
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with 2 cycles each year. We will be reviewing proposals for our Fall 2024 cycle on October 11.
Additional Logistics
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Depending on the dates of the program, housing may be provided. Please let us know in your application if you would like to take advantage of housing so that we have time to make arrangements.
Also included in the duration of your program is access to working and teaching space, access to the nature center land and existing materials, marketing support, and lunches on some program days.
Financial compensation will be a flat rate of $2,000 for 4 days, $2,500 for 5 days, or $3,000 for 6 days, aiming for approximately 8 hours of Visiting Teacher-Naturalist work per day (see sample schedule below). We expect a robust but sustainable number of hours of contact time with the public through these programs, including ~2 non-consecutive evening programs, 2 visits with existing NBNC youth programs, and at least 2 other public programs.
An example schedule of a 6-day visit by a visiting botanist:
|
M |
T |
W |
Th |
F |
S |
|
|
AM |
Settle in and set up |
Independent work |
Plant ID session with school program students |
Independent work |
Independent work |
Public botany program |
|
PM |
Scouting and field orientation |
PD with Staff |
Social Media / online outreach |
Session with afterschool students |
Brown-bag lunch with visiting orgs |
Public botany program continued |
|
Evening |
Off |
Evening Plant Field Trip |
Evening Plant Field Trip |
Evening Plant Field Trip |
Off |
Phase 1 - To apply, please send an email to [email protected] with a short description of who you are and your work in the field of nature connection, naturalist study, or adjacent topics! Please include a description of what you’d like to contribute to North Branch Nature Center programs, why you’d be excited to join us as a Visiting Teacher-Naturalist, and what support you would envision needing to be successful here. Our hope is to co-create this program together with you.
Phase 2 - Successful applicants will then be asked to submit references from a colleague and two former students or participants, as well as a sample of a project, lesson, or program that you would be interested in sharing with NBNC participants and staff.
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2024 cycle.
"Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate.
But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship
from a one-way street into a sacred bond."
— Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
713 Elm Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
(802) 229-6206
Hours: Center Open Monday-Friday 9-4
Trails Open 24/7
