Congratulations to the graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Programs conducted in 2023 through UF/IFAS Extension offices on the Treasure Coast.
The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education program developed by the University of Florida and provided by participating organizations (Source: FMNP Website). This FMNP course benefits people interested in learning more about Florida’s environment, seeking educational contact hours, or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, ecotourism guides, and others. UF/IFAS Extension Agents in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Escambia Counties worked with local leaders and experts to bring this program to the community. In the first half of 2023, these three courses were conducted: Coastal Shoreline Restoration, Environmental Interpretation, and Habitat Evaluation. Questions regarding these courses can be directed to Ken Gioeli, FMNP lead instructor.
Environmental Interpretation Course (March 7 – April 3, 2023)
This 24-hr course was designed to make participants better environmental interpreters and educators, so others may learn about Florida’s natural history and conservation issues. This course covered concepts such as the fundamentals of interpretation, key elements of an effective interpretive program, how to create themes, sub-messages and transitions, group management, addressing diverse audience needs, developing interpretive displays and practicing interpretive techniques. The Florida Master Naturalist instructor for this course was Ken Gioeli, Lead Instructor, Extension Agent IV/Naturalist Resources & Environment for UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County; Amanda Thompson with the Nature Conservancy was course guest lead instructor. Full course description.
Anna Grace Agnini
Janel Altman
Theresa Blanchard
Christina Cole
Emily Dark
Gary Franklin
Anna Hackney
John Klim
Michelle Stromberg
Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course (4/6/2023 – 4/28/2023)
This FMNP course was a 24-hour educational program designed to provide training in the restoration of living shorelines, oyster reefs, mangroves, and marshes, with a focus on ecology, benefits, methods, and monitoring techniques. People that completed this course were better prepared to promote and assist with restoration projects. Florida Master Naturalist Instructors were Ken Gioeli, Lead Instructor, Extension Agent IV/Natural Resources & Environment for UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, Dr. Vincent Encomio, Associate Instructor, Extension Agent II/ Sea Grant for UF/IFAS Extension Martin and St. Lucie Counties; Carrie Stevenson, Guest Associate Instructor, Extension Agent IV/ Coastal Sustainability Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County. Full course description.
Theresa Blanchard
Barbara Brown
Barbara Carter
Samantha Dawson
Richard Hartman
Janda Hefner
Stephanie Hezel
Maxwell Ihns
Anne Laird
John Leslie
John McCulley
Beth McKinley
Mark Morgan
Nancy Morgan
Susan Ori
Mariana Pardo
Liz Pena
Bryan Redden
Trish Schranck
Caleta Scott
Marlene Severino
Michelle Stromberg
Gabriella Trench
Habitat Evaluation Course (6/14/23 – 7/7/2023)
This FMNP course was a 24-hour educational program designed to provide training in principles and commonly used techniques for evaluating wildlife habitat. People that completed this course better understood the reasons for evaluating wildlife habitat at different scales and the methodologies used to do so. The Florida Master Naturalist Instructors were Ken Gioeli, Lead Instructor, Extension Agent IV/Natural Resources & Environment for UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County; Andrea Lazzari, Associate Instructor, County Extension Director and Extension Agent II for the UF/IFAS Extension Indian River County; Dr. Lisa Krimsky, Guest Lead Instructor, Extension Agent IV/Regional Specialized Water Resources Extension Agent for the SE Extension District. Full course description.
Theresa Blanchard
Barbara Brown
Gary Franklin
Gabriel Harris
Diann Johnson
Maura Merkal
John Murray
Anastasia Salter
Stephanie Santiago
Mina Shehee
Shawna Wilson
Resources
Florida Master Naturalist Program
Florida Master Naturalists are Bioblitzing!
UF/IFAS Extension programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, or national origin.
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With offices in each of Florida’s 67 counties, UF/IFAS Extension works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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