Leave No Trace Trainer Courses

Anyone who spends time outdoors on public lands should be practicing Leave No Trace practices. During the pandemic, we are offering Alternative Virtual Trainer Courses through the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. 

Using the unique online alternative format approved by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, this LNT Trainer Course will dive into the the 'why' of LNT skills and ethics as well as spend considerable time with techniques for effectively facilitating learning opportunities to share these low impact practices with students of all ages. A lens of equity and inclusion will be embed throughout the entirety of the course. This course is ideal for outdoor leaders who have knowledge of the LNT principles and take people of all ages outdoors for single or multi-day courses. Participants will prepare a lesson to teach virtually during the course (topics will be selected by participants on the first day of the course). A strong focus on teaching and learning as well as wildland ethics will be incorporated into this virtual training.

​Prepare to complete 10 hours of online zoom course meetings and 12 hours of additional course pre-work and homework. 

This course is not 'at your own pace, on your own'. There will be specific assignment deadlines, synchronous online meetings/classes, and lots of asynchronous on-your-own activities/readings. The zoom course meetings are interactive and engaging and rely on participants full engagement through breakout rooms, editable google slides, padlets, and other online learning tools.

Upcoming Course Offerings

November 29 - December 7, 2021,  Mon/Tues evening course - Waitlist
December 1 - 9, 2021, Wed/Thurs morning course - Waitlist
January 10-18, 2022, Mon/Tues late afternoon course - Register
January 12-20, 2022, Wed/Thurs morning course - Register
January 31-Feb 8, Mon/Tues late afternoon/evening course Register
February 2-10, Wed/Thurs morning course Register

Contact us to be notified when new course registrations open
Future course registrations typically open 6 weeks in advance

Texts/Materials

Participants are encouraged (not required) to purchase the LNT Educator Toolkit prior to the course beginning. Purchasing at least one of the teaching books is helpful for participants. 

Virtual Learning Hardware and Software - these tools will make your learning experience the most effective and pleasant: 

• laptop or desktop computer 
• computer camera (so you can be seen by others on zoom) and microphone
• familiarity with google slides/docs and have a google/gmail log in
• ability to learn how to use Canvas LMS to access the course website and all assignments
• must create Padlet.com free login to be able to contribute to course activities and assignments
• smartphone or camera to create a short teaching video on your own and then upload it for fellow classmates to view

Pre Course and Post Course Work

• Participants are sent email communication 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the course with directions for logging into the course canvas website.
• Pre-work assignments are available 5 days before the course begins and are expected to be completed by the first zoom class. 
• Post work final assignments are to be completed within 5 days of the last zoom class. 

Eligibility

Participants must be 18 years old or older and identify as outdoor educators, leaders​, instructors, guides, rangers, etc. International folks (outside of USA) are welcome to participate.  

Each Course Participant Receives

• Four 2.5-hour long sessions of engaging interactive virtual instruction from LNT Master Educator
• Learning and sharing with a community of outdoor educators
• Access to a lively virtual network of over 100 LNT Trainers credentialed by Wild Rose Education
• Leave No Trace Trainer credential certificate that never expires
• Tools and skills to offer LNT Awareness Courses and teach Leave No Trace skills 
• Certificate of 24 professional development training hours (optional)

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Quotable Reviews from Recent Virtual Participants

I learned more than I expected, and am extremely happy I took this course. - December 2020

I loved the way the zoom classes were organized and how we did breakout rooms to interact with others in the class. The personal experiences were my favorite because it made us relatable and it was good to hear that we are all human and make mistakes, even though we are all learning and plan to do better. - December 2020

Sarah did an amazing job both organizing the material, the assignments, being always available for questions. I appreciate her enthusiasm while guiding the online meeting, bringing her personal experience into the conversation but at the same time leaving us the space to discuss and learn from each other. I would imagine taking another course with her as a trainer. ​ - November 2020

The information shared, new ideas, opportunity for critical thinking, group participation, technology use was all stellar. - November 2020

​We had excellent discussions, learned a lot of important techniques for teaching, and were able to connect with each other. It was really fun and informative. - December 2020

This course went way beyond my initial expectations. I have not only learnt about LNT, I got even access the specific tools to apply LNT directly in my work. The great surprise has been exploring "learning and teaching" techniques. Sharing this virtual time with the others course mates added an awesome human value to this experience. ​ - November 2020

Much more in depth than I imagined. Loved the deep dives into ethics. - December 2020

Sarah [instructor] did a great job making the classes engaging, it would have been really easy for a class to suck in an online format, but I was able to interact with other students through the google slides, through breakout rooms, and discussion boards! I was never bored in classes, and I learned a TON! - December 2020

It was very well structured and the conversations we had were invaluable learning experiences. ​ - December 2020