News Release

Chinsegut Nature Center recruiting volunteers

December 14, 2007
Contact: Becky Brown, 352-754-6722

If you love working outdoors and working with people and want to help spread the word about conserving Florida's fish and wildlife, Chinsegut Nature Center has just the partnership program for you.  Located just north of Brooksville, the education center is recruiting volunteers to meet an increasing public demand for its services.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) operates the facility and is conducting its next volunteer orientation session on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

"As the center grows, we increasingly depend on volunteers to deliver educational programs to adults, school children and various community groups," said Kristin Wood, Chinsegut center director.

In addition to presenting educational programs, volunteers help organize the center's popular festivals, assist with trail maintenance, nonnative plant control, general grounds management, office staffing and other unique projects.

After orientation, it is hoped potential recruits will continue training until they graduate and become active Chinsegut volunteers.  Volunteers-in-training meet each Wednesday through April 23.  A new topic is presented during each three- to four-hour session.  Topics covered in the volunteer training program include: ecology and mammal tracking, herpetology, birding, butterflies, natural plant communities, fire management, Chinsegut's cultural history, geomorphology of the area, map and compass usage, and techniques of environmental education.

"Volunteers are the backbone of a strong, local constituency who know the importance of wildlife and habitat management," said Becky Brown, volunteer coordinator at Chinsegut. 

The nature center also hosts public workshops and evening talks and is open for hiking, birding and other types of recreation on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on how to volunteer, contact Becky Brown at Rebecca.Brown@MyFWC.com  or 352-754-6722 for an application and to schedule an interview. Chinsegut Nature Center is 1 mile west of U.S. 41 on CR 476 in Brooksville.