Protecting Missouri’s natural resources is an ongoing and challenging task. The challenge is made easier when private citizen groups, as well as state agencies, can provide education, outreach information and services. That’s the idea behind Missouri’s Master Naturalist Program.
The Meramec Hills Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalist Program is offering their eleventh core training course beginning with an orientation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3. The event will be located at Rolla Technical Institute. The orientation is open to the public.
After attending orientation, participants must register by August 10 for the course. Because class size is limited to twenty-five, and previous training courses have reached capacity, early registration is recommended.
“Being able to identify the plants, birds, and aquatic life that surround me through belonging to a group with such a vast knowledge and concern for the environment is what led me to join the Missouri Master Naturalists,” says Carrie Dayton, a geologist and member of the Meramec Hills Chapter who lives in Dent County. “With our wide variety of volunteer opportunities focused on conserving nature, there truly is something for every member’s interest.”
The twelve-week course taught by field scientists, professional naturalists and university professors, will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Wednesday evenings from August 31 through November 9 at Rolla Technical Institute. Four Saturday field sessions are included. Completion of the course leads to state certification as a Missouri Master Naturalist.
One of the twelve chapters across the state, the Meramec Hills Chapter is based in Rolla with nearly 60 members from Phelps, Dent, Pulaski and neighboring counties involved in volunteer projects throughout the area. Members meet monthly at Rolla Technical Institute for an educational program and business meeting and have access to many other conservation-related programs and activities.
The Missouri Master Naturalist program is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri Extension with a mission to engage citizens in the stewardship of the state’s natural resources through science-based education and volunteer service.
To register, visit the chapter website at meramechills.org and complete the online registration. For more information visit the MeramecHills Facebook page or contact Sarah Havens, at (573)-458-6260 or havenss@missouri.edu.
