Florida Master Naturalist students participating in the 2024 Coastal Shoreline Restoration course taught by Extension Agents Ken Gioeli, Dr. Vincent Encomio, and Carrie Stevenson are bioblitzing. This list is a living document and will be updated throughout September and October 2024. Students will use iNaturalist to observe the plants and animals at environmental preserves around Florida. This iNaturalist app is a powerful geomatics application that empowers users to make observations that can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed.

Master Naturalist Bioblitzes 

2024 Master Naturalist Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course · iNaturalist

More to come

Quick photo tips for Master Naturalist observers

• Take close-ups if possible.
• Safety first. No sneaking up on gators or other dangerous critters.
• Make sure photos are IN FOCUS.
• Check the photo after you have taken it.
• Retake the photo if it does not appear to be sharp and in focus.
• If your camera is having a lot of trouble focusing, try moving your camera back slightly to get the best focus.
• Best lighting for your photos – Try to have the sun at your back.
• Tip: in bright direct light, try shading small plants with your body or a backpack.
• Put a coin next to flowers, insects to show size.

Making observations

• Decide on what biodiversity you have interest in.
• Observations of the same types of plants and animals are ok
• Take photos that are in focus and show details (color, size, # petals, etc)
• Geospatial data uploaded to iNaturalist automatically
• Map of site with observations can be generated on iNaturalist
• If you don’t know name of plant or animal, just type “plant” or “animal”

About this Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Shoreline Restoration Course

The UF/ IFAS St Lucie, Martin, and Escambia County Extension offices are pleased to announce the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) Coastal Shoreline Restoration course. This FMNP course is 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 completing this course will be better prepared to promote and assist with restoration projects. The lead Florida Master Naturalist Instructor is Ken Gioeli, Extension Agent IV/Natural Resources & Environment. Associate instructor is Dr. Vincent Encomio with the UF/IFAS Extension Martin and St. Lucie Counties, and Carrie Stevenson, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County.

Upon completion of the course, participants receive Coastal Shoreline Restoration course certification, complete with certificate, patch, and pin from the University of Florida.  Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.

Examples of other Florida Master Naturalist Bioblitzes

Spruce Bluff Preserve BioBlitz · iNaturalist

2023 Bicycle Iguana-thon · iNaturalist

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