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Regardless of the outdoor activity, Leave No Trace skills are important to learn. Leave No Trace courses function like a pyramid. Master Educator courses are at the top of the pyramid and train people to become comprehensive Leave No Trace educators, or Master Educators. Master Educators, in turn, teach the second level, the Trainer Course, to people who become Leave No Trace Trainers. Trainers (or Master Educators) are then able to conduct our third level of training called Awareness Workshops, which are designed for the general public and promote Leave No Trace.
Summer wildflowers in Wyoming's Snowy Range
About the Courses
A Master Educator course is typically five-days in length and designed for people who are actively teaching others outdoor skills or providing recreation information to the public. Currently, there are over 2700 Leave No Trace Master Educators worldwide representing dozens of countries and all 50 U.S. states. This valuable training is recognized throughout the world by the outdoor industry, land management agencies and the outdoor recreation community. Successful graduates of the Master Educator course have the ability to train others in Leave No Trace skills as well as facilitate Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Awareness Workshops.
Course Curriculum
The Master Course provides participants with a comprehensive overview of Leave No Trace skills and ethics through practical application in a field-based setting. The first day is spent in a classroom, introducing the course and schedule, providing in-depth information on the overall Leave No Trace program and the Center for Outdoor Ethics, reviewing gear, and packing. The remaining days are spent in the field on a short backcountry trip learning and practicing the principles of Leave No Trace.
Each course is staffed with a minimum of two highly experienced outdoor professionals who are Master Educator Instructors. You will learn Leave No Trace techniques through skits, discussions, and hands-on activities. To practice Leave No Trace teaching strategies in a supportive, educational environment, each participant will teach a short session geared toward minimum impact Leave No Trace concerns.
Tuition
Tuition for the five-day Master Educator course ranges from $500-$830, depending on the course provider and the course location. Every participant on a Master Educator course will receive a one-year membership to Leave No Trace. Partial scholarships are available through Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics Scholarships are available for private citizens, organization members, and others interested in teaching Leave No Trace. You must be enrolled in an approved Leave No Trace Master Educator course before applying for a scholarship.
**Due to the amount of qualified applications we receive, the Center has decided to adopt a policy in which only domestic applicants are eligible for partial scholarships. If you have questions or concerns regarding this new policy, please contact the Center.
There are two deadlines for scholarship applications:
April 15, 2008 and August 15, 2008
Please submit your application before the deadline closest to your course dates. In some cases, scholarships may be retroactive if your course runs prior to one of the two deadlines. If you are awarded a scholarship after you have attended your Master Educator course, you will receive partial reimbursement directly from Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics If the deadline closest to your course date is missed, your application will be held until the next deadline. Scholarship applications received after the August 15, 2008 deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.
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Leave No Trace Master Educator Courses 2008
All Leave No Trace Master Educator courses are currently offered by five approved training institutions:
Appalachian Mountain Club
Dates | Location | Focus
- May 2-6 | Allegheny National Forest, PA | Backpacking
- June 9-13 | White Mountain National Forest, NH | Backpacking
- July 23-27 | Adirondack Forest Preserve, NY | Canoeing
- August 4-8 | White Mountain National Forest, NH | Backpacking
- September 17-21 | White Mountain National Forest, NH | Backpacking
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- If you have a group of at least 6 people who cannot attend a currently scheduled course, contact AMC about setting up a custom Master course. You pick the dates, location, and help set up logistics, and we’ll offer the course at a discounted rate to your group.
- All courses consist of one classroom day and four days in the backcountry (not overly strenuous but requiring some experience and good health).
- Successful completion of the Master Educator course qualifies you to offer and teach two-day Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops.
- Course fee includes instruction, teaching materials, lifetime subscription to the Leave No Trace Tracker, one-year Leave No Trace individual membership, first night’s lodging, all meals, and group camping equipment.
- To register for a course, first complete and submit the Leave No Trace AMC Master Course Application. Once your application is approved, the AMC will contact you to complete your registration.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
For more information contact:
Hawk Metheny
Appalachian Mountain Club
PO Box 298
Gorham, NH 03581
603-466-2721 ext. 215
Landmark Learning LLC
Dates | Location | Focus
- April 21-25, 2008 | Cullowhee, NC | Backpacking
- May 12-16, 2008 | Buffalo River, Arkansas | Canoeing
- June 23-27, 2008 | Cullowhee, NC | Backpacking
- August 11-15, 2008 | Cullowhee, NC | Backpacking
- September 22-26, 2008 | Cullowhee, NC | Backpacking
- October 6-10, 2008 | Charleston, SC | Seak Kayaking
- September 29 – October 3, 2008 | Ecuador| Backpacking
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- Do you have a group of people who would like to schedule their own Leave No Trace Master course? For a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10, we can arrange a course to fit the specific needs (backpacking, whitewater, frontcountry, etc.) and dates for your group. More than 10 people? We can discuss group rates and logistics, or multiple course discounts.
- Always available: Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Workshops.
- Course fees include tution, course materials, food, camping and permitting fees, 1-year membership to Leave No Trace and more.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
For more information contact:
Mairi Padgett
Landmark Learning LLC
828.293.5384
National Outdoor Leadership School
Dates | Location | Focus
- March14-17 | Tucson, AZ (Galiuros Mtns) | Backpacking
- May 12-16 | Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UT | Backpacking
- June 2-6 | Yellowstone National Park, WY | Backpacking
- September 22-26 | San Juan Islands, WA | Sea Kayaking
- October 20-24 | Ouachita National Forest, AR| Backpacking
- November 7-11 | Grand Canyon National Park, AZ | Backpacking
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- NOLS is the original provider of Leave No Trace Master Educator courses.
- The only provider currently offering 2 hours of college credit from the University of Utah.
- Custom Leave No Trace courses available worldwide.
- Leave No Trace courses can be combined with Wilderness Medicine Institute courses for efficient staff training.
- Capable of running courses in National Parks.
- NOLS will provide food and all group gear (tents and cooking equipment) for the five days of the course.
- Successful completion of the Master Educator course qualifies you to offer and teach two-day Leave No Trace Trainer courses and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
If there are no courses offered in your geographic area, NOLS may be able to design a custom or contract to meet your needs. This can be a great way for organizations to train their staff at substantial cost savings.
For more information contact:
National Outdoor Leadership School
284 Lincoln Street
Lander, WY 82520
US Forest Service - Ninemile Wildlands Training Center
Dates | Location | Focus
- August 25-29, 2008 | Glacier National Park, Montana | Backpacking
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- Ninemile specializes in Leave No Trace for stock (horse, mule, etc.) users.
- Call for details on course tuitition.
- Partial course scholarships are available from the Center.
For more information contact:
Ninemile Ranger Station
Ninemile Wildlands Training Center
20325 Remount Road
Huson, MT 59846
Wilderness Education Association
Dates | Location | Focus
Course dates coming soon ...
For more information contact:
Wilderness Education Association
900 E. 7th Street
B
loomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812-855-4095
Fax: 812-855-8697
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