The Florida Master Naturalist Program is making a Difference
The future of Florida’s natural world will depend on public engagement and demand for the protection of our amazing natural resources both for our current benefit and for the benefit of future generations. There are many organizations that contribute to protection and stewardship of our natural resources, but the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is unique in that it is an adult educational program that engages, prepares, and empowers citizens to promote awareness and appreciation for our natural world among others. In this regard, graduates of the FMNP are emissaries for nature who are “paying it forward” by promoting interest and appreciation for nature among people who then become motivated to share their enthusiasm for nature with others, and so on and so forth. In this manner, FMNP instructors and graduates are helping to strengthen a collective conservation ethic among Florida citizens.
This is the 25-year anniversary of the FMNP and during the last 25 years we’ve issued more than 31,000 FMNP graduate certificates to nearly 13,000 people. We’ve received countless testimonials from graduates who attest to how the FMNP has influenced their lives and enabled them to share information with family and friends, make important contributions as volunteers, bring nature into their classroom, and improve skills they rely upon as park rangers and ecotour guides — and these are just a few examples.
Florida Master Naturalist Program 25th Anniversary Challenge
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Florida Master Naturalist Program, an anonymous donor (FMNP grad.) is providing a total of $5,000 as matching funds to donations to the Florida Master Naturalist Program Endowment during the UF Giving Day funding campaign. Donations can be made on the Giving Day website now through Thursday, Feb. 19, which will also post donation totals. This is a tremendous opportunity to build the financial future of the FMNP and emphasize that the FMNP is a program that is important to Florida citizens and needs to continue far into the future. If you like the concept of the FMNP and wish to help secure its future, please consider making a donation.
Thank you for your support of the Florida Master Naturalist Program! Sincerely, Marty
To learn more about the FMNP and the courses we offer, please visit our website and check out our current course listings.
Website: www.MasterNaturalist.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialFMNP
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fmnpofficial/
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