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Patricia Townsend

Washington State Naturalist

1 member(s) linked

Member profile details

Membership level

4. Program Membership - Active and Renewal

First name

Patricia

Middle Initial

Last name

Townsend

Title

Associate Professor

City

Snohomish

State

Washington

patricia.townsend@wsu.edu

Phone

425 357 6020

Program Name

Washington State Naturalist

Program Mission

The Washington State Naturalist Program aims to educate individuals seeking to volunteer with organizations doing environmental education, stewardship, and research. This program works to increase public awareness and knowledge about the environment, conservation, scientific inquiry, and ecosystem function to promote stewardship. Both the program graduates and the recipients through the environmental education and stewardship pipeline will gain skills and knowledge to make informed decisions on environmental issues.

Program Description (include how it meets membership criteria)

The Washinton State Naturalist program offers a 50 hour on-line trainining on introductory ecology, basic science, Washington's ecosystems, and water related ecology and managment. After completing the on-line component, students will be required to do 40 hours of field based activities (a combintation of expert led and self led) to earn their certificate. Graduates will be matched with organizations in their community for volunteer work.

Program Partners

Washington State Univerity (WSU) Extension and WSU School of the Environment. As the program is just starting, we are working to find partner organizations across the state.

Curriculum (general objectives and topics, types of instructors, and planned time frame)

On-line curriculum includes seven modules: scientific inquiry, watershed managment, ecology, ecosystems of Washington, limnology, oceanography, and stream ecology. These modules were developed by WSU faculty and peer reviewed. The course will be offered yearly and led by WSU faculty.

Describe the service component of your program

Graduates of the Washinton State Naturalist Program will be matched with local non profit environmental organizations, land trusts, and relevant state and local governments to complete volunteer work.