The Certificate in Natural Areas Management (CNAM) is offered by the Natural Areas Training Academy (NATA) to individuals who complete the four NATA ‘core’ courses and one wildland fire training. NATA offers courses on practical, field-oriented management techniques to prepare natural resource professionals to manage Florida’s natural areas.
To date, 182 natural resource professionals in Florida have graduated from NATA with their Certificate in Natural Areas Management. Graduates represent >60 different state, federal, county, and city agencies; private and non-profit organizations; universities; and military.
Graduates for 2023
In 2023, the 10 recipients are Florida natural resource professionals representing 2 state agencies, 2 county governments, 3 non-profit organizations, and 1 private company. The journey to achieve this certificate can take up to a year or longer and so we want to recognize these individuals for their hard work, dedication, and give them a round of applause!
Jennifer White – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission- John Kelly – Florida Department of Health
- Dean Gemeinhardt – Volusia County
- Tim Treece – Sarasota County
- Mark Manning – North Florida Land Trust
- Rianna Elliot – North Florida Land Trust
- Emily Dunn – North Florida Land Trust
- Lauren Day – The Conservation Fund
- Nathan Bullian – Alachua Conservation Trust
- Dale Dowling – Breedlove, Dennis & Associates
NATA Courses
The NATA core courses may be completed in any order, there is no time limit to complete the series, and you can enroll in only 1 course if you like. For each course, 8 hours of online work is followed by 2 days in-person. Workshops are held at various sites throughout Florida, and each is purposefully matched to provide expert field instructors, optimal teaching facilities, and proximity to natural lands. Each course is offered once per year, in addition to several basic wildland fire courses. Go to the NATA calendar to see our upcoming courses for 2024, as well as descriptions below:
- Conservation Site Assessment & Planning
This course builds a foundation of skills useful in conducting site assessments and developing resource management plans. - Collaborating to Manage Ecosystems
This course builds an appreciation of how to manage natural areas as part of a larger ecosystem, in coordination with neighboring land owners. - Managing Visitors and Volunteers in Natural Areas
This course provides guidance on how to integrate visitors and volunteers into natural areas management. - Managing for Diversity Across Florida’s Unique Landscapes
This course builds understanding of management and restoration approaches for conserving biodiversity.
For more information about NATA and the Certificate in Natural Areas Management, please visit the NATA website here.
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