Master Naturalist Program volunteer training to be held at Itasca State Park

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Minnesota Master Naturalist Program volunteer training to be held at Itasca State Park
(Released September 1, 2011)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a Minnesota Master Naturalist Program volunteer training workshop at Itasca State Park from Sept. 12-16. Daily sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The program is designed to teach adult participants about the natural and cultural history of the three major biomes of the state. Students will complete a 40-hour, hands-on course conducted by expert instructors and fellow learners. Sessions will cover natural history, environmental interpretation and conservation stewardship. Upon graduation, Master Naturalist volunteers are expected to complete 40 hours of volunteer service to become certified.

The mission of the program is to promote awareness, understanding and stewardship of Minnesota’s natural environment by developing corps of well-informed citizens dedicated to conservation education and service within their communities. The Master Naturalist Program offers three courses that correspond to Minnesota’s three major ecosystems – “Big Woods, Big Rivers,” “Prairies and Potholes” and “Northwoods, Great Lakes.”

The Itasca State Park workshop will cover the natural and cultural history of the “Northwoods, Great Lakes” region. Participants can expect a comprehensive overview of the coniferous forest ecosystem and will observe and learn about the variety of plant and animal communities of the region. Throughout the week, participants will develop their ability to observe nature and learn ways to convey this knowledge in a variety of educational settings. In addition, participants can improve their communication skills by sharing knowledge with other participants and working on a group project.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about Minnesota’s natural environment while working toward becoming a Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteer,” explained Connie Cox, Itasca State Park lead naturalist.

Field trips will be held throughout Itasca and Lake Bemidji state parks. One session will be held at Lake Bemidji State Park. The cost for the course is $200, including materials. Scholarships are available; see the registration website for details.

Register online, call 888-241-4532, or email mailto:info@minnesotamasternaturalist.org

Minnesota’s Master Naturalist program started in 2005 and is a partnership between the University of Minnesota and the DNR. Currently the state has more than 600 trained master naturalists. Nationwide, about 26 other states have similar programs.