Flat Rock Brook Seeks Volunteer Trail Guides, Docents In Englewood

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Nature lovers who enjoy sharing what they know with children and visitors can learn about two volunteer opportunities at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center.

The preserve will hold a Trail Guide and Docent Information Session from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, at 443 Van Nostrand Avenue, according to an event flyer posted on its official website.

“Love nature, hiking, teaching? Want to pass that along?” organizers wrote. The session will explain how volunteers can “learn, explore and contribute.”

Flat Rock Brook’s volunteer trail guides have taught outdoor nature-study classes since 1974. New volunteers learn alongside experienced guides as they lead children on nature walks. Training is free and combines indoor lectures with outdoor exploration.

Trail-guide applicants must be at least 21, available on weekdays during at least one season and physically able to hike hills and uneven ground. Teaching experience is helpful but not required.

Guides are expected to help with at least 10 programs from September through June, volunteer at one special event, attend two meetings or special trainings annually and complete one trail-guide training session.

Docents support weekend visitors by answering questions, recommending trails and providing information about the preserve, programs and exhibits.

Flat Rock Brook is a 150-acre nature preserve and environmental education center with 3.6 miles of trails through forests, wetlands, ponds and meadows.

Anyone interested in volunteering who cannot attend Wednesday’s session may email naturalist@flatrockbrook.org. Additional information about the trail-guide position is available on the organization’s website.

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