Deer Creek Hills 2024 Docent Orientation

Join an amazing group of trained volunteers to help with docent-led activities and service projects at Deer Creek Hills Preserve. No experience is necessary, just a desire to learn about the land and to share your knowledge with the public.

What is included in the annual training – DCH Docent Orientation is held on the 3^rd or 4^th Saturday in January each year. It is required for all docents every year.

Topics covered during orientation will include: Sacramento Valley Conservancy’s mission, vision, and strategic plan, updates on accomplishments from the past year, docent program orientation, review of docent protocols for Deer Creek Hills, and a short nature-focused continuing education session.

Docents will also be given the opportunity to meet and connect with other docents, meet the lead docents, try on/purcahse an optional docent vest or hat.

We will provide a light breakfast buffet, coffee, and tea.

What is a Docent – A docent is considered a long-term volunteer and must be willing to attend a minimum of 2 trainings and support 3 guided outings, which adds up to around 20 hours per year. Docents lead hikes, equestrian rides, and mountain bike trail patrol seasonally throughout the year. Most hikes and equestrian rides take place on Saturday mornings, and mountain bike rides are on Monday evenings.

How Docents help – We are always looking for volunteers to help lead and support leaders on our docent-guided events. These include:

• Hikes and educational tours featuring botany, history, geology, wildlife, and more!
• Equestrian rides (must have your own horse)
• Mountain bike rides (must have your own bike)
• Fitness and health outings: trail running, yoga, music, art
• Service Projects: litter removal, invasive weed control, trail maintenance, etc.
• Community outreach and fundraising events, taking photos, sharing news on social media
• Logistical support, creating educational information or checking in guests at events

Have another skill or idea? Please let us know!

The 2024 DCH Docent Orientation will be held in person at Camp Pollock in the historic Myrtle Johnston Lodge.

If you are unable to participate on January 27th, please contact us ASAP – Carly Amatisto, SVC Program Coordinator at 916-612-3719 or email her at outreach@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org for more information.

Please RSVP below before 6pm on January 26. In the “Send RSVP confirmation to” section, be sure to put your email address. We apologize for the redundancy and any confusion.

Returning docents who have created a profile in the portal, you can uncheck the “hide my data” box if you’d like your photo to appear in the Who’s Attending section.