FMNP Advisory Board Annual Retreat at the Marine Discovery Center (12/11/2024) - The Florida Master Naturalist Program Advisory Board (FAB for short) is a fabulous group of individuals dedicated to the present and future success of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP). The FAB consists of individuals from across the state who are either program instructors or graduates from the courses. Many of these individuals serve as… more
Florida Master Naturalist Program Course Manuals Available (12/4/2024) - Are you a graduate of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP)? You might be interested to know that during 2023-24 we released newly revised and updated versions of our three FMNP core courses: Coastal, Freshwater, and Upland Systems. We’ve added new information and eliminated overlap among the courses, which have received excellent reviews from participants.… more
Florida Master Naturalist Program Course Manuals Available (12/4/2024) - Are you a graduate of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP)? You might be interested to know that during 2023-24 we released newly revised and updated versions of our three FMNP core courses: Coastal, Freshwater, and Upland Systems. We’ve added new information and eliminated overlap among the courses, which have received excellent reviews from participants.… more
Partnerships are Key to Success of Florida Master Naturalist Program (11/20/2024) - Henry Ford is reputed to have said "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." These statements describe how the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) was established, how it has evolved over time, and the positive impacts the FMNP has had on thousands of people in Florida, other states, and… more
Space Coast Regional Friends Group of the Florida Master Naturalists (11/8/2024) - Last Saturday (11/2/2024), I had the pleasure of speaking to and meeting with the Space Coast Regional Friends Group of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP), or as they like to refer to themselves, the Space Coast Master Naturalists (SCMN). What a great group of people! It is personally very rewarding and inspirational for me… more
October 2024 Class List (9/19/2024) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Brevard Extension office for some fun learning experiences! Make sure to follow us on Eventbrite to be notified by email whenever we post a new class: https://brevardextension.eventbrite.com Want this sent to your email? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://brevardextension.substack.com Cooking in an Instant and Air Frying October 1 | 2… more
Florida Master Naturalist Program: Invasive Plants of Florida (9/11/2024) - Florida Master Naturalist Program: Invasive Plants of Florida The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Nassau County is proud to offer the Florida Master Naturalist Program: Invasive Plants of Florida four-part course. What is FMNP Invasive Plants? Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) Invasive Plants comes from the family of Florida Master… more
Study reveals growing interest in natural shorelines (6/26/2024) - Promoting the idea of installing a living shoreline was once a losing battle. Savanna Barry recalls a colleague who attempted to introduce the concept during a gathering of marine contractors about a decade ago. “He was asked to leave,” said Barry, a Florida Sea Grant (FSG) regional Extension agent for the Nature Coast. “Late last… more
Florida Lakeside Living (5/14/2024) - Let’s Celebrate…Lakes With more than 7,800 naturally occurring lakes, Florida is among 25 States nationwide which have submitted proclamations in support of Lakes Appreciation month, observed each summer in July. Through the University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH© program, Florida residents can participate in monthly volunteer activities which help to improve water quality by monitoring the health… more
This Mother’s Day, consider giving Mom the experience of UF/IFAS Extension (5/2/2024) - Pondering a gift for Mother’s Day? Does she enjoy nature or gardening? How about healthy lifestyles? Why not consider a unique experience gift this year? Through Extension, UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) offers a wide array of programs, including demonstration gardens, workshops to improve your green thumb, nutrition classes, the Florida Master… more
March 2024 Class List (2/23/2024) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Brevard Extension office for some fun learning experiences! Make sure to follow us on Eventbrite to be notified by email whenever we post a new class: https://brevardextension.eventbrite.com Want this sent to your email? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://brevardextension.substack.com Spring into Fitness February 3 - March 15 | Registration will… more
This Halloween, have a heart for bats; a UF/IFAS expert explains (10/16/2023) - People of all cultures have a love-hate relationship with bats. Feared for their portrayals after decades of horror movies and centuries of folklore, bats are also the ultimate must-have for Halloween decor. Florida has 13 species of bats year-round that are among 1,300 species worldwide, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bat population… more
September 2023 Class List (8/25/2023) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Brevard Extension office for some fun learning experiences! Below is our current class list for the month. Water Bath & Pressure Canning September 7 | 1 pm - 3:30 pm Join us to learn the canning basics and how to safely preserve your own food! Register on Eventbrite: https://loom.ly/J56_5PE FMNP… more
Florida Master Naturalist Program – New/Revised Freshwater Systems Course (7/28/2023) - The Florida Everglades, at roughly 1.5 million acres, is recognized as one of the greatest wetlands on Earth. But the Everglades aren’t the only important wetland or the only fascinating environment that occurs in Florida. The Florida Master Naturalist Program (www.MasterNaturalist.org) provides opportunities to learn all about Florida’s incredible natural world, the diverse array of… more
July 2023 Classes and Events (7/3/2023) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Brevard Extension office for some fun learning experiences this July! Below is our current class list for the month. Child Passenger Safety Seminar July 2023 July 7 | 9 am - 11 am Learn about correct selection, installation, and use of child restraints plus how child restraints work to protect… more
Mary Ellen Boelhower: A Florida Master Naturalist Program Success Story (6/22/2023) - Introducing Mary Ellen Boelhower A native of Louisiana, Mary Ellen grew up in Ponchatoula, a small town near New Orleans. She went on to study Wildlife Management and Forestry before moving to work for a statewide conservation organization in New Hampshire for 18 years. A career change to university fundraising led her to North Carolina,… more
Florida Master Naturalist Courses – Learn about Florida! (6/6/2023) - Florida’s natural world is an amazing place. Florida is known for beautiful beaches and coastal waters, but Florida nature has much more to offer. Nearly 200 species of birds are known to nest in Florida and more than that number visit or winter in Florida during migration. There are bears, bobcats, coyotes, and lions (well,… more
Florida Master Naturalist Program – New/Revised Coastal Systems Course (4/27/2023) - Are you interested in Florida’s amazing coastal environments and the diverse array of species that live there? Did you know there are killer whales in the Gulf of Mexico and that a new species of whale was recently discovered in the Gulf? Are you interested in learning about corals and the Florida Reef Tract that… more
April 2023 Class List (3/24/2023) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Brevard Extension office for some fun learning experiences this April! Below is our current class list for the month. Brevard County 4-H Fair & Market Poultry Auction April 1 | 9 am – 1 pm Join Brevard County 4-H for their annual Fair & Poultry Auction! Show your support by… more
March 2023 Class List (2/24/2023) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County office for some fun learning experiences this March! Below is our current class list for the month. Limited Structural Pest Control Certification Review & Exam [CANCELLED] March 3 | 9 am – 3 pm Need a Limited Structural Pest Control Certification? If so, this class is for… more
October 2022 Class List (9/23/2022) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County office for some fun learning experiences this October! Below is our current class list for the month. Water Bath and Pressure Canning October 1 | 10 am – 12 pm Learn the basics of canning and how to preserve your own food! Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3DDT8TF You… more
September Class List (8/19/2022) - Join us at the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Office for some fun learning experiences this September! Below is our current class list for the month. Water Bath and Pressure Canning September 8 | 10 am - 12 pm Learn the basics of canning and how to preserve your own food! This class is full, please… more
Registration Open for the Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Systems Course (8/12/2022) - Through online classroom discussions, videos, presentations, and field trips, participants will learn about the ecology, wildlife, vegetation, and conservation issues of Florida’s coastal and marine environments. Students will explore coastal habitats during the four in-person field trips. Because this is a core module, a class project is required to graduate from this course. There is… more
My Internship Shadowing Experience: Nighttime Sea Turtle Walk (6/9/2022) - My Background My name is Sean M. and I was born and raised in coastal SE Florida. I am currently a senior at the University of Florida studying Forest Resources and Conservation with a specialization in Protected Areas Management. I was informed in November of 2021 that I have received a slot for the University… more
FMNP Coastal Systems-a hybrid experience (5/17/2022) - By Ana Zangroniz & Laura Tiu Earlier this month, my esteemed colleague Laura Tiu (Walton County Florida Sea Grant Agent), and I concluded our first hybrid Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) course. We taught Coastal Systems following on the heels of a successful fully virtual Freshwater Systems course that we offered last summer. During 2021,… more
Thanking the volunteers of UF/IFAS Extension (4/18/2022) - In every Florida county, community members turn to their local UF/IFAS Extension office for year-round assistance in gardening, youth programming, home management and other needs. But behind many of these program areas are robust networks of volunteers who offer their time and expertise as Master Gardeners, 4-H leaders, Master Money Mentors and Master Naturalists. Volunteers… more
Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course Graduation April 8, 2022 (4/8/2022) - The UF/IFAS Extension offices in St. Lucie, Martin and Escambia Counties congratulates the newest graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Program Coastal Shoreline Restoration course on April 8, 2022. On Friday April 8, 2022, eighteen students successfully completed the Florida Master Natural Program (FMNP) Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course and were recognized for their achievements. This… more
Florida Youth Naturalist Program launches statewide (2/22/2022) - A new program is available for young nature enthusiasts interested in learning more about Florida’s environment. Inspired by the Florida Master Naturalist program, this youth program takes kids aged 10 to 13 on a journey through Florida’s ecosystems. The Florida Youth Naturalist Program Instructor Field Guide, developed by UF/IFAS Extension, Florida 4-H and the Florida… more
Florida Master Naturalist Graduate Spotlight on Holly and Fritz Hanselman (1/17/2022) - The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. We’re highlighting graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) as part of a series. This blog features my interview with Florida Master Naturalists Holly and Fritz Hanselman, FMN Program… more
Florida Master Naturalist Environmental Interpretation Course Begins Jan. 31, 2022 (12/20/2021) - The UF/ IFAS Extension St Lucie County is pleased to announce the upcoming Florida Master Naturalist Program Environmental Interpretation course. This FMNP course provides 24 hours of educational coursework including presentations, class discussions and on-your-own field activities. It is designed to make participants better environmental interpreters and educators, so that others may learn about Florida’s… more
Celebrating Florida Master Naturalist program in Taylor County (11/23/2021) - The 20th Anniversary celebration of UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) marks an exciting milestone in the history of a program that has been copied throughout the nation. The 20th Anniversary Festival is a time to reflect upon what the program has meant to each of us, to join like-minded people, and to contribute in… more Roseate Spoonbill in Florida (9/15/2021) - Roseate Spoonbill in Florida Genus and Species: Platalea ajaja Listing Status from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Federal Status: Not listed FL Status: State-designated Threatened FNAI Ranks: G5/S2 (Globally: Demonstrably Secure/ State: Imperiled) IUCN Status: LC (Least Concern) Roseate spoonbill are a Florida specialty with visiting birders from outside the state seeking them… more
Florida Master Naturalist Program Graduate Spotlight (9/1/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. Our graduates are our greatest success stories. This blog highlights Florida Master Naturalist 20th Anniversary Graduate Successes in St. Lucie County. Our graduates are sharing their stories throughout 2021. You can learn more about the Florida Master… more
Florida Master Naturalist 20th Anniversary Graduate Spotlight on Eva Ries-St. Lucie County Public Lands Coordinator for Audubon Florida’s JayWatch (9/1/2021) - The Florida Master Naturalist marks an important 20th anniversary in 2021. We’re highlighting successes of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) as part of this celebration. This blog features my interview with Florida Master Naturalist Eva Ries - Associate Instructor and FMN Program graduate. Eva Ries can be reached at avian@onemoregeneration.org. Learn more about FMNP,… more Florida Master Naturalist 20th Anniversary Graduate Spotlight on John Nelson-Creator of the Audubon Moment (8/11/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. Learn more about FMNP, view the first blog post here. This blog features my interview with Florida Master Naturalist John Nelson - creator of the Audubon Moment in Palm City, FL. John's email address is mtgman4@aol.com. UF/IFAS… more Florida Master Naturalists Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Permitted Sea Turtle Night Hike (7/15/2021) - The Florida Master Naturalist Program's 20th Anniversary Celebrations continue in St. Lucie County with a permitted sea turtle night walk. This event took place on July 13, 2021 and was hosted by Ecological Associates Inc of Jensen Beach. Its always a thrill to see sea turtles nesting in-person. Sea turtle permit MTP21-10. No flash photography… more
Florida Master Naturalists Can Discover Nature Journaling – August 13, 2021 (7/2/2021) - Join us for a discovery of oyster bed and mangrove restoration, living shorelines. The UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2021. As part of this celebration, the UF/IFAS St Lucie County and Martin County Extension offices will be conducting a discovery of the living shoreline at Flagler Park in downtown Stuart… more The Florida Master Naturalist Program in St. Lucie County (6/2/2021) - The Florida Master Naturalist Program is offered through UF/IFAS Extension in conjunction with collaborating agencies. In St. Lucie County, lead instructors contribute to this program from the UF/IFAS Extension and St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department. Associate and assistant instructors come from a variety of organizations each one contributing unique perspectives on Florida's natural resources. … more
From Class to Community Action (5/28/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. To learn more about FMNP, view the first blog post here. By Taylor Paynter, Ray Bodrey and Scott Jackson Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) students know their journey is only beginning at the completion of any course.… more
Audubon of Martin County Commits to Conserve Rare Atala Butterflies (5/25/2021) - Congratulations to the Audubon of Martin County for proclaiming commitment to conserve rare atala butterflies on their property. This commitment is made possible by through participation in a program initiated by the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County in conjunction with collaborating agencies and is designed to promote the conservation of rare atala butterflies in Florida.… more
Gopher Apple is Blooming in Treasure Coast Preserves (May-June 2021) (5/20/2021) - Gopher apple (Licani michauxii) is a native plant found in scrubby areas on the Florida Treasure Coast. This diminutive shrubby plant is easily overlooked by passersby. Its typically ankle-high and l not very showy. However, it is an important food source for our protected gopher tortoise populations. It blossoms May - June and will eventually produce… more New Florida Master Naturalist Environmental Interpretation Course Graduates – May 20, 2021 (5/19/2021) - The UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County congratulates the newest graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Program in St Lucie County. On Thursday, May 20, 2021, nineteen students successfully completed the Florida Master Natural Program (FMNP) Environmental Interpretation Course and were recognized for their achievements. Prior to recognition, each student completed a journal describing three site… more
Florida Master Naturalist Graduates Are Blogging and Vlogging (5/14/2021) - As the Florida Master Naturalist Program celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021, we are took a look at our program successes. Of course, our graduates are our greatest successes. At last count, we estimated well over 600 students graduated through our program in St. Lucie County. We have been offering a steady stream of courses… more
Amazing AmeriCorps (4/29/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. To learn more about FMNP, view the first blog post here. Click the image to download and enjoy the May desktop calendar in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Florida Master Naturalist Program. Get an… more
Amazing AmeriCorps (4/29/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. To learn more about FMNP, view the first blog post here. Click the image to download and enjoy the May desktop calendar in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Florida Master Naturalist Program. Get an… more
Florida Master Naturalist 20th Anniversary Graduate Spotlight on Bill Gibson, Ecotourism Operator (3/22/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. Learn more about FMNP, view the first blog post here. This blog features my interview with Bill Gibson, Florida Master Naturalist and co-owner of Motorized Kayak Adventures in Fort Pierce, FL. Bill's email address is motorizedkayak@gmail.com. UF/IFAS Extension… more
Superheroes of the Natural World (3/5/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. To learn more about FMNP, view the first blog post here. By Justina Dacey and Rick O’Connor If there were superheroes of the natural world, it would be Florida Master Naturalists. Instead of colorful superhero outfits, they… more
Superheroes of the Natural World (3/5/2021) - We’re highlighting all things Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) in 2021 as the program marks its 20th anniversary. To learn more about FMNP, view the first blog post here. By Justina Dacey and Rick O’Connor If there were superheroes of the natural world, it would be Florida Master Naturalists. Instead of colorful superhero outfits, they… more
Learn how to restore marine habitats (3/2/2021) - Marine habitats Marine habitats such as seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and sponge beds are some of the most threatened on the planet. UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant Extension agents in the Nature Coast work a lot on marine habitat restoration projects. A few examples include seagrass restoration in Crystal River and artificial reefs in Taylor… more
Learn how to restore marine habitats (3/2/2021) - Marine habitats Marine habitats such as seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and sponge beds are some of the most threatened on the planet. UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant Extension agents in the Nature Coast work a lot on marine habitat restoration projects. A few examples include seagrass restoration in Crystal River and artificial reefs in Taylor… more