Becoming a Naturalist! Volunteer Naturalist program overview as well as preparation for September class visits.

MNHC is located at 120 Hickory St (near McCormick Park.) If you are taking the Kim Williams bike path from the University, it is the big blue building on the left after the Orange Street tunnel.

December's Topic: Have to Have a Habitat

A large part of studying natural history is learning about what living organisms need for survival and how communities of living organisms interact and depend on each other in an ecosystem.  During this visit, volunteers will help instructors teach about the essential components of habitat and the concept of biodiversity.  We will explore the school yard with the classes to identify what habitat is available and who is active in the winter months. 

January's Topic: Adapting to Winter

During this winter visit, we will discuss what and where is winter, noting the limiting factors that shape our winter biotic communities.  We will identify and discuss different physical and behavioral adaptations of animals in response to the winter climate of Montana and how these adaptations contribute to survival.  Through an experiment, students will explore how different adaptations help animals to conserve heat. 

February's Topic: Form and Function in Nature

The characteristics that we see in animals, plants and other living things are the adaptations that make them unique.  These characteristics develop over time as the animals adapt to their envi ron ment.  Much of what we see in nature is related to function.  Students will explore different adaptations and will think about how adaptations truly help animals to survive. 

March's Topic: Finding Out with Field Guides

Field guides are an essential tool of a naturalist.  They can provide us with info rmation helpful in identifying a species but can also give a broader glimpse into the natural history of the organism.  During this visit, students will become familiar with the content and uses of a field guide by looking closely at a bird field guide.  We will introduce and discuss field marks as clues for identification and will play a game that allows students an opportunity to practice their new ID skills.

April's Topic: Dive into Diversity

This month we will introduce the ecosystem concept, study biodiversity and reflect on many of the skills and concepts we have learned over the last several months of the Visiting Naturalist program.  By setting up an inquiry-based science experiment, comparing two different parts of the school yard, students can begin to make the connection between the limiting factors of a place and the diversity of organisms existing there.  We will discuss how structure, both in non living components and in vegetation, affects the diversity of animals and begin a discussion of human impact on biodiversity. 

Through the school year students have been introduced to a range of tools used, subjects studied and practices of a naturalist.  During the spring field trip, students will have an opportunity to put their new skills into practice as they spend a full day exploring and studying a field site.  Volunteers will be trained to lead the field trip stations: surveying plants, observing and identifying insects, observing birds and other wildlife through binoculars and silently walking along the trail, celebrating what it is truly like to be a naturalist.  Be prepared for the weather and bring a lunch!