Iowa Master Naturalist
Event Details
2048 US 6
Oxford, IA 52322
Contact Name: Kristen Morrow
Email: kmorrow@co.johnson.ia.us
Phone: (319) 645-2315
Website: www.johnson-county.com
Event Description
Iowa Master Naturalists is a 12 session course for those interested in the environment but with no formal training. Field trips and volunteer work are also incorporated into the class. Sessions will include informational handouts, presentations, and guest speakers. The application deadline is May 23; applications are available at the CEC or by emailing kmorrow@co.johnson.ia.us. A materials fee of $250 is due at the first class.
This summer, Johnson County Conservation is happy to offer a new adult education course through a partnership with the Iowa Master Naturalist program. The course includes 12 sessions, meeting on Monday of each week, which cover information about Iowa’s wildlife and natural resources. The course will start on Monday, June 6 at the Conservation Education Center in Kent Park. Each session will run from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Participants are also required to attend one field trip a month and volunteer to receive more hands-on experience.
The weekly sessions may include informational handouts, presentations, and instruction from professionals in fields such as geology, fisheries, entomology, and more. Course participants will gain a general knowledge platform of natural systems/cycles, ecosystems, and ecology, as well as a more in-depth knowledge of Iowa’s plant and animal species. Instructor and course organizer Maya Ogren hopes that after completing the course “scores of families, friends, and individuals will be confident in nature and feel the joy that comes from having and sharing nature experiences”. Above all, Ogren states that the Iowa Master Naturalist course will teach participants about their natural environment and provide them tools to share this knowledge.
Another key component of the course is the connections and relationships that will be built as a result. All participants must complete 40 hours of volunteer work, and throughout the different sessions and field trips, participants will be provided many networking opportunities. This will not only help the participants identify where to volunteer, but will also help local organizations connect with active, skilled, and well-informed volunteers. Together the organizations and volunteers can further spread information and passion about conservation and the outdoors.
To find registration information, please see the Spring Program Guide on page 11. More details about the course will be available in JCC’s summer newsletter. For immediate questions, please contact MayaOgren@ NaturalistAdventures.org or call 319-540-5114. Additional information about the Iowa Master Naturalist program can also be found by visiting www.facebook.com/IowaMasterNaturalists.
