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 Naturalist courses. Learn more at Florida Master Naturalist Program – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – UF/IFAS (ufl.edu)

The Invasive Species course provides productive and engaging discussions about plants and animals, presentations, field trips, and resources/materials to increase the quality of the education and set a high standard.

How is the Invasive Plants course laid out?

If you want something more than a one- or two-hour program, but not so much commitment that you have to get a degree, then FMNP Invasive Plants course is perfect for you.

The program is geared toward people who want to take the next step in their education of invasive plants of north Florida and the state of Florida at large. It is offered to environmental professionals, educators, and interested citizens or visitors. There are 24 contact hours or in-person teaching hours including field trips.

The course is a series of four workshops (each at least 2.5 hrs.)

Introduction to Invasive Plants of Florida
Plant Morphology
Aquatic Invasive Plants of Florida
Upland Invasive Plants of Florida

There will also be classroom presentations, on-your-own activities, and in-person field activities and trips.

Where and when is the next FMNP Invasive Plants course?

The next course will be offered in Fall 2025, around the end of September, in-person, from 8:30AM until 5:00PM for four days, probably Tuesday through Friday.

Classroom sessions will be held at the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Yulee, and the American Beach Community Center. Field trips will include the N. 15th St. Pond in Fernandina, Greenway, and American Beach. in Nassau County, FL.

What can be gained from the course?

You will increase in knowledge and confidence about Florida’s invasive plants, including how they affect ecology and how they impact our economy. We will connect you with fun ways to get in and stay involved with local environmental projects like Invader Raiders.

Environmental professionals will benefit from spending time with the County Extension Agent having discussions about specific situations that occur in the field involving invasive species, including plants and other environmental problems like water quality degradation, and the technical knowledge needed to advance projects. Educators also benefit from FMNP because of resources and materials provided that they can deliver to their students.

Who leads the course?

UF/IFAS Extension Agent David Hébert has a background in environmental testing with the EPA (Region 7) and currently works as a soil biologist in the other parts his Extension appointment. David’s programs are listed under Agriculture and Natural Resources here: 👨‍🌾 September 2024 Nassau County Agriculture and Natural Resources Updates (mailchi.mp)

Does this course offer a certification?

This course grants a certificate, official patch, and small pin. Each class comes with a digital textbook and name tag + lanyard.

How much does it cost?

Course fee begins at $250 (see web site for full pricing). Student requirements include attendance, participation, and effort. See official rules on Florida Master Naturalist Program – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – UF/IFAS (ufl.edu)

Advance registration is required. For registration and program information contact the web site https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/IP24-06inperson.php For further questions contact David Hébert at (904) 530-6356 or david.hebert@ufl.edu.

Pictured above: Beth Strawbridge teaches the Plant Morphology module at the American Beach Community Center. Students use taxonomic guides to identify different plants.

Want to learn more? Click the image below.

Looking for an opportunity?

You can learn about citizen science and help boost community involvement in biodiversity! Instructions will be provided on how to access and upload new data to project locations through EDDMaps, iNaturalist and eBird.

The project in iNaturalist can be found here: N 15th St. Pond, City of Fernandina Beach, FL, US · iNaturalist

Photo (Right): Kathy Russell leads a “Weed Wrangle” and similar invasive plants removal events in the Greenway throughout the year. (left) A birder records observations using Merlin by eBird.

What’s the Impact?

The Florida Master Naturalist has led to some major impacts across the state. For example, 86% of participants report increased community involvement using FMNP knowledge after taking the program.

Click HERE to register for the Florida Master Naturalist Program!