Audubon Community Nature Center is looking for area residents with enthusiasm for sharing nature with children. Those interested can learn about leading elementary students on discovery walks at a new trail guide orientation on Wednesday, March 27.

With as many as 4,500 school children visiting this spring, the Audubon Community Nature Center needs volunteers who love nature to lead discovery walks with groups of students.

“Serving as a trail guide at Audubon is a rewarding volunteer opportunity,” said Margaret Foley, Audubon naturalist and volunteer coordinator. “If you have experience or interest in the natural world and working with children, we would love to have you join us.”

At the new trail guide orientation on Wednesday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., those interested can learn how to become a trail guide to assist the education staff with elementary school field trips. The program covers a brief history and mission of Audubon, volunteer roles in the organization, and an overview of what it means to be a trail guide. If weather permits, participants will go for a short, easy walk.

Trail guides are integral to the education programming at Audubon. Most often these volunteers work with preschool through fifth grade students visiting Audubon on a field trip. They lead small groups on discovery walks outside to inspire curiosity about the natural world through age-appropriate activities.

After tjhe introductory session, those who still want to participate can attend four trail guide training sessions on Wednesday mornings in April.

Information and skills learned in this training are also useful in other Audubon volunteer positions.

Reservations are required by Monday, March 25, by calling 569-2345 during business hours or go to auduboncnc.org/programs and click on “Current Schedule.”

Audubon education programs are funded with support from the Carnahan Jackson Foundation, Jessie Smith Darrah Fund, Holmberg Foundation, Hultquist Foundation and Lenna Foundation.

To learn more about Audubon field trips and how to schedule them, call 569-2345 or click on “Schools” at auduboncnc.org/ScheduleAProgram.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. The three-story Nature Center building contains interactive displays, a collection of live animals, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Building hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The 600-acre wetland preserve with more than five miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and Liberty, the non-releasable Bald Eagle, can be visited from dawn until dusk daily.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 569-2345 during business hours or visit auduboncnc.org.