Indiana Master Naturalist 2024

AS OF 2/14/24 REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THE 2024 IMN PROGRAM

Indiana Master Naturalist 2024

Become An Indiana Master Naturalist

Interested and intrigued by nature and the environment? Want to learn more about Indiana’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 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, water, soils, and wildlife, and promote natural resource volunteer service within the State of Indiana.
  • 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, Allen County Parks and PFW Environmental Resource Center.

To find more information on classes and other sites hosting IMN classes click here

Program Information:

The sessions begin on Tuesday, February 20th and end on Saturday, May 25th with a Native Tree Hike at Metea County Park.

The Orientation Meeting on Tuesday evening, February 20th at Metea County Park is an essential part of the program. Please notify us if you cannot attend that night.

Participants must complete at least 8 classes of the 14 classes offered plus the Orientation, complete weekly quizzes, and accumulate 24 hours of volunteer work to obtain Indiana Master Naturalist Certification and a pin. Any session that includes an academic presentation on Tuesday and a hike on Saturday is considered ONE session.

Class size is limited to 25 applicants. Space is reserved on a first-come first-served basis.

** Hiking sessions will require moderate walking.

Important:  Your registration form needs to be mailed to Tori Mumaw immediately to secure a place in the 2024 IMN session. See application for address. The registration fee is due the evening of the orientation (Tuesday, February 2oth).

Money may not be returned after orientation unless there are extenuating circumstances. These non-refundable fees can be applied to future IMN programs either in Allen County or at other IMN state sites.

If you have special needs, please indicate on the registration form, or call us at (260)312-3069 prior to the orientation session.

Fox Island Alliance is a volunteer not- for- profit organization.

Questions?   Contact Tori Mumaw at mumawvictoria@gmail.com  or Jeff Ormiston @ 260- 414-2538

To download and print this information and an application click here

Date                Topic                   Instructor(s) Time  Location
2/20 Orientation /Native American

Heritage/ Civil War Era

Greta Sirois/ Bob Dispenza 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea
02/27 Hands-on Nature Jody Heaston 6:00pm  – 9:30 pm Fox Island

 

3/05 Fox Island Derecho/ Ticks Natalie Haley/ Russ Voorhees 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Fox Island
3/09 Geology Tony Fleming 8:30 am – 12:00 Fox Island
3/12 Forest Ecology Dr. Jordan Marshall 6:00 pm –9:30 pm ERC
3/19 Reptiles and Amphibians Dr. Bruce Kingsbury 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm ERC
3/26 Mammals Dr. Scott Bergeson 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm ERC
4/09 Arthropods/ Bees/

Monarch Butterflies

Bob Dispenza/ Don Conkle/

Karie Harding

6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Metea
4/16 Wildflowers Jeff Ormiston / Carrie Vrabel 6:00 – 9:30 pm Fox Island
4/20 Wildflowers Hike Jeff Ormiston / Carrie Vrabel 9:00 am – 12:30 pm Metea
4/23 Birds / Jane Hine Ed & Cynthia Powers / Terri Lehman

Dr. John Meier/ John Gever

6:00 – 9:00 pm Fox Island
4/27 Birds Ed & Cynthia Powers/ Rachel Pyle 8:00 am-12:00 am Fox Island
4/30 Bats /

Weather

Bob Walton

Bill Seidel

6:00 -9:30 Metea
5/04 Fort Wayne Trails- Historic Walk

Part 1

Pam George 9:00- 12 Noon Downtown

Ft. Wayne

5/07 Fort Wayne Trails-Historic Walk

Part 2

Pam George 6:00 – 8:30 pm Downtown

Ft. Wayne

5/14 Wetlands Kate Sanders 6:00 – 9:30 pm Fox Island
5/18 Wetlands Hike Kate Sanders/ Jeff Ormiston 9:00- 12:00 Noon Fox Island
5/21 Native Trees Ron Divelbiss 6:00 – 9:30 Metea
5/25 Native Trees Hike Ron Divelbiss 9:00- 12:30 Metea