Our next Master Naturalist Class will be offered in the fall of 2010! Sign up for our email newsletter to get the schedule as soon as it is posted! Ripple Effect Ecotours, in partnerhip with University of Florida's Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, is now offering the Coastal Module of the Florida Master Naturalist Program. St. Augustine, FL—Learning more about Florida’s natural environment now is possible through the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP), an environmental education extension program being offered in partnership with the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) and participating organizations throughout the state. The FMNP both informs and prepares persons to share information about Florida’s natural world and environmental history. Training in Florida’s Coastal systems, the second of three ecosystem modules included in the FMNP, will be available at the Whitney Laboratory in the town of Marineland, and completion of the 40-hour program results in registration in the UF-IFAS Master Naturalist Program database as a FMNP Coastal Systems Naturalist. The FMNP is not a degree-seeking program. The program is appropriate for both the novice and the highly skilled environmental professional. Certified FMNP Provider: Ripple Effect Ecotours: Chris Kelley, Danny Lippi, and Joe Woodbury will be instructing the class with guest speakers including Jose Nunez from the Whitney Lab. Course Dates: Start on Monday, February 8th and runs every Monday and Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm with graduation on February 26th. Register online at www.MasterNaturalist.org, and click on “Course Offerings” for specific class times. Cost: $225, which includes all field trips, 40 contact hours of instruction, a comprehensive student reference workbook, and, upon completion, registration in the UF FMNP database as a Coastal Naturalist. A UF-IFAS certificate of achievement, embroidered FMNP patch, and FMNP Coastal lapel pin also will be provided at completion. Program: Training for the Coastal System Module includes classroom instruction, field trips, and practical interpretive experience related to the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife, and conservation issues of Coastal areas in Florida, which include marine and estuarine, and coastal uplands. In addition, the program addresses the role of society in coastal conservation, develops naturalist interpretation skills, and discusses environmental ethics. Target Audience: Volunteers and staff members of nature centers, preserves, sanctuaries, and other environmental education facilities. Ecotourism operators and guides, teachers seeking opportunities for environmental educational contact hours, and anyone who has an enthusiastic interest in learning more about Florida’s environment is encouraged to participate. For more information about the Coastal System Module training or about the FMNP in general, contact Ripple Effect Ecotours at (904)347-1565 or log on to the official FMNP Web site at www.MasterNaturalist.org. Day 1 (Monday, February 8, 2010) 9:00am-4:30pm Introductions Classroom Presentation-Coastal Systems Ecology Lunch 12:00-12:30pm Classroom Presentation-Interpretation Field Trip to the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center Day 2 (Friday, February 12, 2010 9:00am-4:30pm 9:00am-12:30pm Field Trip-Kayak Tour with Ripple Effect Ecotours from the Whitney Lab to the Princess Place Preserve 12:30-1:00pm Lunch Classroom Presentation-Marine and Estuarine Systems Day 3 (Monday, February 15) 9:00am-4:30pm Classroom Presentation-Coastal Uplands and Birds Lunch 11:30am-12:00pm 12:00pm-4:30pm Field Trip-Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Day 4 (Friday, February 19, 2010) 9:00am-4:30pm Classroom Presentation- Invertebrates, Fish, and Reptiles Lunch 12:00-12:30pm Field Trip-Center for Marine Studies at the Whitney Laboratory and Dune Habitat Day 5 (Monday, February 22, 2010) 9:00am-4:30pm Classroom Presentation-Mammals and Ethics Lunch 12:00-12:30pm Final Project Preparations Day 6 (Friday, February 26, 2010) 9:00am-4:30pm Final Projects and Graduation Party! "A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitley more than much knowledge that is idle." Kahil Gibran
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