Randell Center to offer Florida Master Naturalist Program
The Randell Research Center on Pine Island will be offering the Florida Master Naturalist Program Coastal Systems module beginning Friday, April 15, at the Calusa Heritage Trail.
The Florida Master Naturalist Program is an adult-education program for anyone interested in learning more about Florida’s ecosystems or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, or ecotourism guides.
Through classroom, field trip and practical experience, the 7-day module will provide instruction on the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife and conservation issues of coastal systems in Florida.
Further, the class will address naturalist interpretation skills, environmental ethics, and the role of humankind in shaping our past and determining our future.
Classroom learning includes instructional videos and presentations. Field learning will include a wading trip in the Pine Island Sound estuary, a visit with a local commercial fishing operation, and a shorebird expedition to TigerTail Beach on Marco Island.
Classes begin on April 15 and continue on April 20, 22, 27 and 29 and on May 4 and 6. Classes take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The cost for the course is $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.
The only requirements of students are enthusiasm, attendance, and completion of group final projects.
Register on-line at www.Master-Naturalist.org, “Course Offerings.”
Additional information about the program and other modules are also available on the website. Please call Cindy Bear, FMNP Coastal Module instructor, at 239-283-6168 if you have additional questions.
The Randell Research Center is a permanent facility dedicated to learning and teaching the archaeology, history, and ecology of Southwest Florida. The RRC operates the Calusa Heritage Trail and encompasses more than 60 acres at the heart of the Pineland archaeological site, a massive shell mound site on the western shore of Pine Island.
The website www.flmnh.ufl.edu/rrc/ provides additional information.