TRU and Kamloops Naturalist Club launching new free education, leadership program

KAMLOOPS – Young people interested in nature conservation and restoration now have a chance to get hands on experience with a new program at Thompson Rivers University.

Dean of Science Tom Dickinson and the president of the Kamloops Naturalist Club Jesse Ritcey announced their program at Kamloops city council earlier this week.

The Next Generation Naturalists program is available to students and non-students ages 17 to 22 who are interested in helping the natural environment around Kamloops and Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc. The starting date is set for March 16, 2019.

There is no cost to participate in the three-year program as the model involves free education in exchange for volunteer work.

"These 35 students who will receive this leadership training, and this environmental education, will hopefully go on to be real leaders in the community," Ritcey said.

"What we want to have on the academic training of it is people understanding what ecosystems are made of and how the processes of both natural and human disturbance will affect ecosystems," Dickinson added.

The program was made possible by a $227,500 grant from the Lawson Youth Foundation in Toronto. 

If you or someone you know is interested in applying go to KamloopsNaturalistClub.com/nextgen.

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