NHMU Museum Ecologist - For Utah Teachers!

The Natural History Museum of Utah is proud to offer Utah public and charter school teachers the opportunity to meet with scientists and explore nature through engaging in-field experiences - for free!

Two teachers look at a river with wetland plants around them

Upcoming Courses

Applications are open now for Museum Ecologist: Deserts!

Click here to learn more about the Deserts course

Program Overview

NHMU Museum Ecologist is an in-depth teacher professional development field course offering certification in desert ecology and city ecology for Utah teachers.

At NHMU Museum Ecologist, our mission is to inspire curiosity about the natural world and promote responsible stewardship of Utah’s landscapes. Through the Museum Ecologist program, we cultivate a community of dedicated citizen scientists who are committed to education, conservation, and advocacy. By participating in hands-on field experiences, classroom learning, and online coursework, Museum Ecologists strive for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, skills, and meaningful engagement with nature.

This new pilot program currently offers two field courses for teachers across the course of a year:

Museum Ecologist: Deserts

2026 course applications are open now!
Click here to learn more about our Deserts program

Museum Ecologist: Cities

The spring 2026 course has completed.
Click here for more information on the Cities program

Each module consists of interactive online coursework culminating in a field course led by NHMU educators. Museum Ecologist: Deserts includes a weekend trip to the Bonderman Field Station at Rio Mesa outside of Moab, Utah. Museum Ecologist: Cities includes day trips around Salt Lake City.

What do modules and field experiences look like?

Each module consists of weekly online coursework (readings and participation in virtual classes) culminating in three days of in-the-field experience with NHMU educators, scientists, and partner organizations. To become a certified Museum Ecologist, and be awarded the full USBE credit, you must commit to completing both the online portion and field days for each course. In situations where only the online portion is completed you will be awarded partial USBE credit, credit varies by course.

What does participation and attendance look like?

The Museum Ecologist program is best experienced by joining and actively participating in the weekly online Zoom classes, making 5 observations a week in iNaturalist, and completing assigned readings and discussion questions. All Zoom classes will be recorded for participants needing an asynchronous option, though we strongly recommend joining our classes live. By completing the homework and joining us for our field experiences, you will receive full USBE credit; if you complete the online portion, you will be awarded partial USBE credit, credit varies by course.

What do I get for participating in Museum Ecologist?

Upon completion of the requirements, you will receive a certificate identifying you as a NHMU Museum Ecologist! In addition to receiving certification, Utah teachers will earn USBE credits for attending each field course and completing the coursework. Alternatively, teachers can earn partial credit for completing the online portion only. You will also gain valuable knowledge, lesson plans, connections with scientists, and other resources to bring back to your classroom.

How do I register?

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

A group of teachers in coats in a group photo in front of the Great Salt Lake

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