Florida Master Naturalist Program
Florida Master Naturalist Training
Learning more about Florida’s natural environment now is possible via the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP), an environmental education opportunity offered by the University of Florida Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and in cooperation with local County Government.
What is it?
A 40-hour educational extension program on Florida ’s Upland (Forest) Ecosystems. Educational activities include classroom instruction, field trips, and practical interpretive experience related to general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife, and conservation issues of upland systems in Florida . In addition the program enhances naturalist interpretation skills and addresses environmental ethics.
Who Should Attend?
Ideal for those in an eco-tourism business, teachers seeking environmental education contact hours, volunteers and staff of parks or other environmental education facilities – any interested adult. Appropriate for both novice and highly skilled environmental professionals. In-service and continuing education credit available.
When and Where is it Offered?
Please see the current schedule below to find out when the next course offering is for each of the following Courses.
- Freshwater Wetlands
- Coastal Systems
- Upland Habitats
- Advanced Master Naturalist Training
(to be taken after the above 3 courses)
Where Do I Register?
Visit www.MasterNaturalist.org
Fax Forms are available at County Offices and Online.
What is the Cost?
$225, which includes 40 contact hours of instruction, a comprehensive student reference workbook, registrations in the UF FMNP database as a Uplands Naturalist, a certificate of achievement, an embroidered FMNP patch, and a FMNP Uplands lapel pin.
Instructors
University of Florida Extension Agents Brooke Saari, Sheila Dunning, and Mike Goodchild will team teach this course utilizing interactive video, field trips, video, and other hands-on activities. Additional teaching and support provided by Nonie Maines and other local naturalists and field experts.
For More Information:
Contact Sheila Dunning at
850-689-5850 or Brooke Saari at 850-892-8172
or email: sdunning@ufl.edu
- For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, please contact the Extension Office (850-926-3931) at least 5 working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be give to the request.
- The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.
