FMNP in Sarasota: Uplands Course Survives Hurricane Milton!

What is the Florida Master Naturalist Program?

The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education curriculum that promotes awareness and understanding of Florida’s natural world for citizens, teachers, tour guides, and volunteers. The program was developed in 1999 by University of Florida professor and Extension specialist, Dr. Martin Main. The first class was offered in 2001. In 2026, this innovative and inspiring program will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Thousands of curious and concerned citizens and visitors have graduated from one or more of the program’s 24-hour and 40-hour courses. FMNP core courses are 40 hours and include education about Florida’s Upland, Freshwater, and Coastal ecosystems and conservation issues, with instruction on effective ways to teach others what you learn. Courses include presentations, videos, hands-on activities, and behind-the-scenes field trips presented by topic experts for a variety of experiences. Learn more about the courses here.

Upland Systems Core Module

In a lowland coastal state, small changes in elevation result in more well-drained, drier soils that host a unique variety of plant and animal species and form our upland ecosystems. There are 24 recognized types of upland natural communities in Florida! During exciting private field trips with knowledgeable land managers, biologists, and natural resource professionals, students explored a variety of upland ecosystems in Sarasota County.

This fall, despite the challenges brought on by Hurricane Milton, almost 20 students graduated from the 40-hour Upland Systems core module with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. Keep reading for an inside look at the fun that FMNP students had during this year’s Uplands course!

An image of an open, savannah-like landscape with a single cabbage palm tree and a group of students walking through the landscape in a line. — Photo: Katherine Clements.

Scrub Surprises

An image of a blue and light gray bird with small scientific identification bands around its legs, as it perches on a thin branch. — Florida Scrub-Jay. Photo: Zahir Ringgold Cordes.

An image of a rainbow scarab beetle pushing dung in sandy soil. — Rainbow scarab (dung beetle) pushing dung. Photo: Zahir Ringgold Cordes.

Florida’s scrub ecosystems consist of bare patches of dry or ‘xeric’ sandy soils and low-growing native grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers. Rare and threatened species, like the Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), make their home in this unique ecosystem. During a hike with Florida Department of Environmental Protection biologists at Oscar Scherer State Park, students had the remarkable experience of learning about the conservation of this rapidly declining, endemic bird species as they flew low across the trail, hopped along the sandy soil, and perched at eye level in scrub oak trees.

“I will remember that experience for a long time. Between the up-close encounters with the Scrub-Jays and the way you passionately provided the information made it feel like a once-in-a-lifetime trip.”-Dillon, 2024 Uplands participant.

Other interesting appearances included a rainbow scarab, commonly described as a dung beetle, doing what it does best! Rainbow scarab beetles (Phanaeus vindex) are a native, beneficial species of beetle that help break down dung in the environment. They do this by consuming and burying it in the tunnels they create below ground.

Picturesque Pinelands

Pop quiz! How many species of pine are native to Florida (answer below)? You may be familiar with the open expanses of land characterized by tall, pole-like pine trees, a mostly open mid-story, and an understory of native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs. Pinelands are some of Florida’s most common upland ecosystems! A variety of pineland ecosystems exist, and are differentiated by elevation, soil type, and the moisture levels of their soils.

Depending on these factors, different pine species become dominant, and a uniquely adapted community of other plants grow along with them. During a field trip to T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve, Uplands course participants not only learned about some of our native pine species, they also had the chance to see a variety of wildflowers and some of the native wildlife that call Florida’s pinelands home.

An image of open pinelands with bright purple wildflowers growing in the understory amongst bright green grasses and palmetto. — *Liatris sp.*, a bright purple native wildflower commonly known as blazing star, grows abundantly in the understory after a prescribed fire. Photo: Katherine Clements.

There are 7 species of pine trees native to Florida.

Fascinated by Fire

Some of our native pines possess serotinous cones, which keep their seeds enclosed until prompted by fire to open. This is a specialized adaptation to reproduce successfully in their fire-dependent habitats. Students greatly enjoyed learning about the importance of natural fire cycles and prescribed fire in maintaining the integrity and health of many of our spectacular pineland ecosystems.

“Before this class I had no idea how important a role fire plays in upland ecosystems. I learned so much.” -2024 Uplands participant.

An image of students learning about the equipment used to conduct prescribed fires. — Students look on as Chris Meyer, one of Sarasota County Parks’ land managers, explains the equipment used to conduct necessary and beneficial prescribed burns. Photos: Katherine Clements.

Upland Amphibians

When the word amphibian comes to mind, it may seem to be at odds with upland ecosystems. Amphibians like frogs and salamanders have sensitive, moist skin and generally reproduce in aquatic environments. In drier upland landscapes, amphibians may adapt by burrowing beneath the soil to avoid drying out, and will emerge at night and after heavy rains. Depressions in the landscape seasonally fill with water, and even small puddles provide ideal breeding grounds for amphibians to lay their eggs. Two upland amphibians, the oak toad (Anaxyrus quercicus), and the pinewoods treefrog (Hyla femoralis), captivated students.

3 collaged images of students holding and looking at two frog species outdoors. — L-R: Pinewoods treefrog, students attempting to identify a frog, and an oak toad.

Learning How to Share A Love of Nature with Others

FMNP courses don’t stop at simply teaching students about local ecology and how to identify plant and animal species. Participants also gain valuable practice in interpretation- the art of effectively sharing knowledge with an audience. Through traditional talks and creative group projects, these stellar students incorporated what they learned into fun, digestible, and hands-on ways to relay information. Check out some of their project ideas below.

Three collaged images of students demonstrating their final projects. — L-R: A group of students conducts a fun prescribed fire activity demonstration, one student describes the Florida panther’s role and importance as an ‘umbrella species’ using a clever prop, and another group hosts a mock podcast to share how upland species adapt to and deal with hurricane pressures.

New Knowledge, Lasting Memories, and Community Connections

2024’s Uplands module was a success! Students learned valuable information that helped connect them to the fascinating world around them while making impactful friendships. Most importantly, they gained a deeper understanding of how to be a part of protecting Florida’s natural heritage. In addition to visiting new locations and learning from local industry leaders, students also praised UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County’s lead instructor, Dr. Katherine Clements.

“I learned a ton, and because of you, I am so excited to go out and learn even more and share it! The materials and content of the course are fascinating, but your extensive personal knowledge and teaching style really add such depth to make it all deeply impactful. I am so grateful to have had this experience!” -Aimee, 2024 Uplands participant.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to our partners at Oscar Scherer State Park, Myakka River State Park, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, and Big Waters Land Trust. Because of the support and dedication of our partners, we were able to reschedule this program after our area was impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Become a Florida Master Naturalist!

Interested in joining a Florida Master Naturalist Program course to see what all the hype is about? Register for an available course near you, or learn more about the program. You can also apply for a scholarship here. Read a graduate success story to learn how this program impacts the lives of students and their communities. Stay in the know and find out when UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is offering FMNP courses! Sign up for Nature News, the Ecology and Natural Resources Program’s newsletter. Graduates from a FMNP class may also join their local Friends of FMNP group to continue learning, creating community, and supporting conservation locally! Friends events in Sarasota County are shared via our Nature News newsletter, or if you’d like to be part of the planning committee contact kclements@scgov.net.