Natural Lands Trust announced this week that it is recruiting for the third class in its “Force of Nature” volunteer training program, designed to educate and train participants to serve as volunteer project leaders and ambassadors for the regional land conservation organization, a news release said.

“The Force of Nature program launched in October 2011,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. “Since then, volunteers have contributed more than 1,200 hours to help Natural Lands Trust preserve and steward the land, water, and wildlife of our region. I look forward to welcoming participants in the third class this autumn as they join the force!”

Under the program, volunteers participate in five, four-hour training sessions during which they learn about topics ranging from tree care and planting to invasive plant identification and removal. Each training session includes a learning component and a hands-on service component, such as restoring trails or building nest boxes for bluebirds.

Following their training, graduates are asked to dedicate at least four hours per month for a minimum of five months volunteering at one or more of Natural Lands Trust’s 42 nature preserves, which stretch from the Poconos to the New Jersey bay shore.

Training sessions for the 2013-14 class will be held beginning Oct. 19 and continuing through March on the third Saturday of each month (excluding December). The first session will be held at Stroud Preserve on North Creek Road in West Chester.

The registration deadline for the 2013-14 class is Oct. 4. Program information, including a training schedule and an application are available at natlands.org/volunteer/force-of-nature or by calling or emailing 610-353-5587 ext. 243 or info@natlands.org. Individuals interested in attending a single training session may register at any time. Single session registration is extremely limited and is on a first-come basis.