For anyone interested in becoming a docent at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the museum will host a Docent Open House, 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9.

Docents are a vital part of the museum community, as they help facilitate school programs and lead tours. Ideal applicants have a passion for lifelong learning and are curious about science and the natural world.

Becoming a docent requires no prior experience. The museum offers in-depth training and all of the support and flexibility docents need to succeed, and there is no cost to participate. Docent benefits include:

• In-depth training from museum curators and professionals on a variety of topics from astronomy to zoology.
• Docent field trips to continue learning outside the museum.
• Social events to make new friends and become part of the museum community.
• Free passes to the museum and Sea Center.
• Flexible scheduling.

New docents commit to attending training classes 9:30-11 a.m. Mondays, Sept. 16 through late January. After training is complete, docents lead tours one weekday morning per week from 9:30 a.m.-noon.

For more, visit sbnature.org/docents or contact Charlotte Zeamer, school and teacher services manager, 805-682-4711 ext. 168 or czeamer@sbnature2.org.

For more about the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which was founded in 1916, visit sbnature.org.

— Briana Sapp Tivey for Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.