Teaching Opportunities l Fellowship participants teach a weekly average of 6 half-day ecology, natural history, cultural history, challenge skills, and outdoor skills classes.  Each participant in the program also presents a one-hour "naturalist program" to large groups usually in the evenings. Naturalists choose a topic from developed slide shows, demonstrations, or character programs.  They are designed to be both engaging and informative for the audience as well as provide the Naturalist with greater knowledge of a natural/cultural history topic. View Class & Naturalist Program descriptions...

Liaisonships l Professional Naturalist Fellowship participants make personal connections and experiences for students/visitors as their group host or "liaison." The liaison must prepare for the group's arrival, welcome them, lead a few activitiesor classes, prepare for evening group activities, and serve as the primary Eagle Bluff representative.  The liaison also remains on emergency call throughout the nights when their group is in residence. 

Professional Development l Seminars dealing with development as educators and naturalists are conducted by Eagle Bluff year-round staff and others in the EE field.  (Some seminars can be taken for credit as coursework toward a Certificate in Environmental Education through Hamline University. See below.) Often, staff seminars take place each Friday afternoon but may be scheduled to best fit the needs of the topic. Other opportunities such as First Aid/CPR training, staff field trips, and off-site workshops are also a focus.

Evaluations l Professional Naturalist Fellowship participants are formally evaluated throughout the course.  Feedback is positive and specific and includes a follow-up meeting with the evaluator. Naturalists will also participate in a self-evaluation and a peer observations as part of the learning
process.

Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) Training l As part of the Fellowship, Eagle Bluff provides the opportunity for Naturalists to become Certified Interpretive Guides (CIG) through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Eagle Bluff will pay toward a signifcant portion of the certification. The CIG Principles of Interpretation class training can also be taken for 2 graduate credits through Hamline University (See below). Visit the NAI certifications website...

Environmental Education Certificate l Fellowship participants may opt to apply a portion of their stipend toward earning a certificate in Environmental Education through the Center for Global Environmental Education at Hamline University. As an optional part of the Fellowship, the program requires additional responsibilities and costs for individuals compared to those who choose not to earn credits. Naturalists have the option of participating for no credit, earn as few as two, or earn as many as ten for the full certificate. The cost for earning the full certificate (10 credits) is: approximately $1,800.

After the Fellowship l Upon completion of the Fellowship, Naturalists will recieve a comprehensive portfolio summarizing their progress throughout the program. Credits earned may be applied toward Masters Programs such as the Master of Arts in Education: Natural Science & Environmental Education at Hamline University or most other accredited Institutions.

Graduate Naturalists positions may also be offered as a continuation of the Fellowship Naturalist experience. Graduate Naturalists have the opportunity to further their study and practice of Residential EE as well as focus on an area of interest or continued education during their second year at Eagle Bluff.

University Partner:
			Visit Hamline's Center for Global Environmental Education website.