I’m sometimes asked why I created the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP), which has been offering courses since 2001 and has awarded in excess of 25,000 FMNP graduate certificates since. The simple answer to that question is that my interests, education, and employment as a professor at the University of Florida provided me the opportunity to tackle this challenge. The more important answer is that I believe that wise landuse decisions and appropriate environmental protections will only be secured with help from an informed and passionate citizenry that cares about our natural world and recognizes our responsibility to ensure we protect our environment for future generations.
I’m also sometimes asked, why does the FMNP inlcude classroom curricula and videos rather than just have field trips? FMNP course curricula are important components of our broader goals to prepare and empower FMNP graduates, our Florida Master Naturalists, to assist us in our mission to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida’s natural world among Florida’s citizens and visitors. I’ve attached a short video in which I address these questions that I invite you to watch and I also invite you to join us, we are confident you will be glad you did.
“Best thing I have ever done. I have learned so much, met so many wonderful people, and found meaningful ways to get involved.”
– FMNP graduate
Dr. Martin Main, FMNP Founder and Program Leader
Caitlin Robison, FMNP Program Coordinator
New to the Florida Master Naturalist Program? The FMNP is an adult education curriculum available to anyone interested in learning more about Florida’s natural world. The FMNP offers 11 different courses that are appropriate for interested citizens and professionals seeking to expand their knowledge into new areas.
For more information see www.MasterNaturalist.org
or contact us at fmnpcoordinator@gmail.com.
- Current course offerings and where – LINK
- Descriptions of FMNP courses – LINK
- FMNP scholarships – LINK
- Statewide network Certified FMNP Instructors – LINK
- FMNP manuals – LINK
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