This summer, children — and adults — will have a new opportunity to dive into Cache Valley’s natural world with Stokes Nature Center’s new self-directed Junior Naturalist Program.
The nature center launched the program in April. Director of Education Kate Hunter created the program, drawing inspiration from the National Park Service Junior Ranger Program.
To become a junior naturalist, participants learn the Junior Naturalist Pledge and complete an activities sheet, which is available online or at the nature center. They then turn in the completed sheet along with a $5 fee to receive their Junior Naturalist patch.
Hunter noted that while the name may suggest the program is only for kids, anyone can participate and get a badge.
“Learning happens at every age and we hope that anyone that wants to become a junior naturalist tries it out,” Hunter said.
A naturalist is a person who studies the natural world. Some of the program’s activities include learning about the rocks, water, flora and fauna in Logan Canyon.
Hunter said she wanted to create the program as an introduction to learning about the outdoors, but also as a way for people to learn to be a steward of nature and to share what they learn with others.
Another aspect of the program is participating in a few of the nature center’s activities, many of which are free.
According to Hunter, reduced funding in the wake of federal budget cuts has slowed progress on or halted the center’s ability to create some of its programming, making independent learning opportunities like the Junior Naturalist Program even more important.
“In general, things are quite tough for anyone working to protect the environment or educate generally,” Hunter said. “However, this is the type of program that we hope helps to fill in some of those gaps since it’s focused on self-directed learning.”
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