PRESS RELEASE from Waimea Outdoor Circle

Nature Park Docents to Become Major Park Guides

Training course starts Aug.16; new volunteers are invited

Waimea Nature Park, also known as Ulu La'au needs you! If you enjoy the outdoors, people and taking a walk through gardens, this is for you. This is your chance to learn about native plants and become a volunteer docent (guide) to show others what is special about this 10-acre park. High school students, college students, retirees, as well as everyone else, are welcome to become docents in this exciting program.

The course begins Saturday, August 16th, for six consecutive Saturdays through September 20th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Classes will be held in the park. Topics will include Park History, Hawaiian Native Plant History, Native Groundcovers, Shrubs, and Trees (featuring the over 30 different species in the park), Cultural Uses, Environmental Plant Ecosystems and How to Grow Native Plants. The course will conclude with students being able to give a tour of their own, graduation and a potluck party.

Each student will be provided a folder with a colorful brochure, a map of the park, interesting facts about native plants, and a tour outline.

This course is free to those who register ahead and agree to conduct at least three tours this year and six tours in 2009. (for those who do not wish to conduct tours, there is a $75 fee for this course, on a space available basis.)

If you haven't already seen this gem-of-a-park in Waimea, stop by and visit. It's a great park to go for a stroll, walk your dog (please use the doggie pot receptacle), have a picnic, and view native plants. The park is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ulu La'au/Waimea Nature Park is located off Mamalahoa Highway, behind the Canada-France-Hawaii Astronomy building. There is plenty of parking inside the Nature Park. For more information and a map you can click to enlarge, check the website at waimeaoutdoorcircle.org/park.html.

Waimea Nature Park is a project of the Waimea Outdoor Circle. It is also historically known as Ulu La'au, "a garden of trees". Over the years, volunteers have removed alien, non-native plants and lovingly planted beautiful native species. It's a great place to see many native plants at once that would usually take hours of hiking to view. And it's a great place to become a docent.

Plant lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, sign up today for this special experience. Space is limited. To register please call Waimea Outdoor Circle at 443-4482 and leave your name, phone number and the best times to reach you, and mention that you are interested in the park docent program.