Become An Indiana Master Naturalist!     2013

 Interested and intrigued by nature and the environment?

Want to learn more aboutIndiana’s natural resources and share this information with others?

The Indiana Master Naturalist Program is an educational/volunteer program developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Purdue Extension to provide citizens with hands-on opportunities to learn about our State’s natural features and resources.  The purpose of the program is to:

  •  Bring together natural resource specialists with adult learners (18 years and older) to foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, soils, water, wildlife, history and people, and to promote volunteer service in local communities.
  • Provide an educational opportunity for course participants by volunteering with a local agency or organization involved in natural resource management.
  •  In Allen County Indiana, this program is sponsored by Fox Island Alliance and Allen County Parks.

Program Information

  • The sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9:30 pm and on Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 12:30pm and either at Fox Island County Park or Metea County Park.
  • The sessions begin on February 26 with Orientation  and end on May 14 with the final exam on Tuesday May 21st.
  • Participants must attend the orientation meeting on Tuesday evening,  February 12.
  • Participants must attend at least 8 of the 9 class sessions, complete the final exam, and complete 33 volunteer hours to obtain the Indiana Master Naturalist Certification, a pin and a newsletter. Graduation Day is  Tuesday, October 15, 2013.
  •  Class size is limited to 30 applicants. Space is reserved on a first-come first-served basis; and space will be reserved only when the $80.00 registration fee is paid.
  • Advance registration is due by Friday, February 1, 2013.

You will receive a letter inviting you to orientation if you are among the first 30 to register.

2013 Class Schedule

Date

           Sessions*              Instructor Time           Location
2/12 Orientation Get Acquainted/Naturalists 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea County Park
2/26 Forest Ecology Dr. Jordan Marshall 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea County Park
3/5 Geology          Tony Fleming 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea County Park
3/12 Reptiles/ & Amphibians      Dr. Bruce Kingsbury 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea County Park
3/23 Wetlands            Tim Skiver 8:30am-12:30pm Fox Island County Park
4/13 Birds         Dr. James Haw 8:30am-12:30pm Fox Island County Park
4/20 Wild Flowers             Ben Hess 8:30am-12:30pm Fox Island County Park
4/30 Insects

Divelbiss, Arata, Harding

6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea County Park
5/11 Native Trees           Ricky Kemery 8:30am- 12:30pm Metea County Park
5/14 Mammals    Dr. Bruce Kingsbury 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea County Park
5/21 Final Exam     Required – No makeup 6pm-? Metea County Park

 

Questions?  Contact Kate Ferguson –749-8881 or katef8881@comcast.net for information. To download a 2013 application click here