Docent Groups
Something truly special happens when you share yourself with others...
For over 30 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has provided opportunities for members of the public to do just that--share their love of nature or their passion for history by becoming docents.
Remember the first time you positively identified a red-tailed hawk? Or how excited you were when you first saw a butterfly chrysalis? These are life changing moments for many of us. If you become a docent, you could be the one to share these moments with other park visitors!
If you have a passion for learning and sharing, a love for nature or history, and would like to share your passion with like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for encouraging stewardship in the parks, then you will find a visitor center that can help you become an East Bay Regional Park District docent. New docent training programs will be offered this year at most of the visitor centers, so call a Visitor Center today and find out how you can get involved.
Docent Training Programs
After completing training classes, docents work alongside naturalists to provide hands-on learning opportunities to students, and assist with special events. Minimum requirements are that docents must attend the training sessions and agree to volunteer a minimum number of hours per month, which varies by interpretive center. A $35 fee covers classroom instruction and supplies.
All downloads are available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format 
| LOCATION | PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | CONTACT | |
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| Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont |
Assist with farm and field chores, educational programs, and historic demonstrations. Cook on a wood stove, teach historic crafts such as spinning, weaving, and toy making or tend the Victorian herb garden. Docent Training Programs: |
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Oakley |
Experience the wonders of the California Delta by sharing your knowledge and passion with others! Docents at the Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta and Big Break Regional Shoreline will learn the science behind the regional ecology in order to assist Interpretive Staff with a variety of community and school programming in subjects that may include wetland ecology, hydrology, cultural history, the delta, and California’s water policy. |
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| Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch |
Help with special events, educational programs, bluebird box monitoring, and sand- and coal mining-era artifact cataloging. |
(510) 544-2750 |
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| Botanic Garden, Tilden Regional Park |
Help propagate and maintain potted California native plants for sale to the public. Help maintain the garden by weeding, raking and nursery work. Lead tours of the Garden for weekend visitors and special groups. | ||
| Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont | Upcoming docent training sessions. April 5, 10am-noon April 12, 10am-noon April 19, 10am-noon April 26, 10am-noon |
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| Crab Cove Visitor Center, Alameda |
Learn to share your love of the outdoors with children and families and assist our naturalist staff with programs. Beautiful San Francisco Bay, its ecology, and the area's rich cultural history is our primary focus.
A 3-day docent training happens every February. The correct dates are listed on the docent flyer.
No experience necessary. 18+ yrs. For more information or to sign up for training please call: (510) 544-3182. |
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| Mobile Education Outreach, Alameda |
Share your love of parks with children and families in communities throughout the District. Help staff with programs at elementary schools and presentations at special events. We’ll teach you all you need to know! |
(510) 544-2527 | |
| Sunol Regional Wilderness, Sunol Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore |
2019 New Docent Training If you enjoy working with children and teaching others about natural and cultural history then this one's for you. We're looking for people to join our community of lifelong learners to assist with our school programs at Del Valle Regional Park and Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area! Special events, like the spring Wildflower Festival, and other public programming at Sunol Regional Wilderness is also a part of being a docent. For more information or to apply call Naturalist Ashley Grenier at (510) 544-3243 or email agrenier@ebparks.org. The upcoming training highlights Native American cultural history, geology, ecology, and presentation skills.
These are the dates and various locations:
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(510) 544-3240 | |
| Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley |
Tilden Nature Area 2018 Docent Training Class Become a docent at the Tilden Nature Area! Help with our education programs, work on the Little Farm, participate in monitoring projects, and much more. Application is required. For more information, call (510) 544-2233. Help with activities at the Little Farm and handle small animals in the farm classroom. Assist naturalists with tours of the Native Butterfly Garden and Kid's Garden. Other docent activities include pond studies, insect explorations and individual projects.
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(510) 544-2233 |
