The UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County congratulates the newest graduates of the Florida Master Naturalist Freshwater Systems course in St Lucie County.
On Friday April 12, 2024, nine students successfully completed the Florida Master Natural Program (FMNP) Freshwater Systems Course and were recognized for their achievements. Prior to recognition, each student completed a course final project assignment where they reported on their “Bioblitzing” project in a freshwater system in Florida. Participants used the iNaturalist app to observe, report, and identify plants and animals in local freshwater systems.
This intensive 40-hr FMNP Freshwater Systems Course was designed to make participants better environmental interpreters and educators, so that others may learn about Florida’s natural history and conservation issues. This course provides instruction on the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife, and conservation issues of Freshwater Systems in Florida – Marshes, Swamps, and Permanent Wetlands (Lakes, Rivers, Springs, and Streams). The program also addressed society’s role in wetlands, develops naturalist interpretation skills, and discussed environmental ethics.
The FMNP Freshwater Systems course is one of three 40-hr Core courses offered by the UF/IFAS. It is a collaborative effort of the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County and other partner agencies. The next Florida Master Naturalist course scheduled for St. Lucie County will be the Coastal Shorelines Restoration course being conducted in September 2024. Details of future course offerings are online at http://masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu. Extension programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, or national origin. For additional information about this Florida Master Naturalist Freshwater Systems course in St Lucie County, reach out to Ken Gioeli at ktgioeli@ufl.edu.
Florida Master Naturalist Program Instructors
Course Lead FMNP Instructor: Ken Gioeli, UF/St Lucie Co Extension Agent
Guest Lead Instructors are Amanda Thompson with the Nature Conservancy and Wren Underwood with the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County.
Associate instructors include Michael Sipos, Mina Sheehe, and Eva Ries. Assistant Instructor is John Nelson.
Graduating Class: Melody Becker, Steve Berry, Cindy Burleson, Carol Cash, Gary Franklin, Angela Grogan, Karen Moore, Juanita Puchkoff, Matthew Vajanyi
To view the course iNaturalist umbrella project:2024 UF FL Master Naturalist Freshwater Systems Course · iNaturalist
For additional information, please e-mail Ken Gioeli, UF/IFAS St Lucie County Natural Resources Extension Agent, at ktgioeli@ufl.edu.
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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