Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate.
Meet Tish Sacks
Graduates form the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) routinely influence others with their knowledge of the natural world, sharing their expertise and enthusiastically educating those around them. FMNP graduate Tish Sacks takes this to a whole new level!
Keep reading to learn more about Tish’s path, and how the Florida Master Naturalist Program impacted her life!
Tish’s Educational and Professional Journey
Always interested in wildlife and nature, Tish earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology, followed by a master’s in teaching. She used that training to teach high school biology for a number of years in her home state of New Jersey. Upon relocation to Florida in 2005, she worked in educational roles at Disney, Sea World Orlando, and the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
It’s All About Timing!
Over the course of her professional career, Tish became acquainted with the Florida Master Naturalist Program. When the timing was right, she took the opportunity to enroll when she left full-time employment in 2021. Despite living and working in Florida for 17 years, she realized that she still had a lot to learn about Florida’s unique habitats.
And learn she did. To date, Tish has completed all three core modules (Freshwater Systems, Upland Systems, and Coastal Systems), followed by courses on Invasive Plants, Environmental Interpretation, Conservation Science, and Habitat Evaluation. Upon completion of the Wildlife Monitoring class this summer, she will achieve her certification as an Advanced Florida Master Naturalist.
“With every class, I gain more understanding of the complexities and beauty of Florida ecosystems and the challenges in preserving them. I’ve never failed to have an assumption upended, a perspective widened, or a myth busted in one of these classes.
What is Tish Up to Now?
Today, Tish combines her educational foundation with her newfound knowledge to give back to nature and the community as a volunteer. Her volunteer work includes helping connect 4th and 5th grade students in Sarasota County to nature and hands-on science learning through UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County’s LIFE (Learning in Florida’s Environment) program.
Additionally, Tish volunteers as a resource monitor, and is a dedicated volunteer with Venice Area Audubon Society (VAAS). She is both a board member for VAAS, and an educator for their 2nd grade birdwatchers program. Tish takes it a step further and also volunteers for Audubon’s Eagle Watch and Jay Watch programs in our Sarasota County parks and preserves.
Predictably, Tish is often called upon by friends and family for plant and animal identification, and to lead hikes. She is an active participant in the Suncoast Friends of the Florida Master Naturalist Program, where she readily shares her expertise with fellow naturalists. Tish’s FMNP experience has prompted her to include a wider perspective about resource management and ecosystem services as an interpreter.
What Would Tish Say to Someone Interested in Taking a FMNP Class?
Tish says, “DO IT! Don’t be intimidated. Go in with an open mind and you will be guaranteed a great experience. Don’t look at it as a pathway to a job. Look at it as a pathway to a richer understanding of the job you might want to do.”
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 more graduate success stories to learn how this program impacts the lives of students and their communities.
To find out about upcoming events and FMNP courses, sign up for our newsletter, Nature News. Graduates from an FMNP class may also join their local Friends of FMNP group to continue learning, creating community, and supporting conservation locally. Friends events in Charlotte, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties are shared via our Nature News newsletter and on the Suncoast Friends Facebook page.
0
