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:Â Your registration form needs to be mailed to Tori Mumaw immediately to secure a place in the 2024 IMNÂ 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 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Topic | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Instructor(s) | Time | Â 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 |