The Mississippi Master Naturalist Program is a certification program for any adults that are interested in learning about nature and how to protect it – there is also a youth version of the program called the Mississippi Student Naturalist Program.
There are two different chapters of the program. One is the Coastal Chapter (based in Biloxi) and another is the Central Chapter (based in Jackson). Each course covers both statewide and local ecosystems in a field-intensive setting.
Over the last month and a half, a new cohort of Master Naturalists have been meeting each Friday for field trips across coastal Mississippi and Alabama. These field trips are part of this year’s coastal certification course and included excursions throughout DeSoto National Forest, the Grand Bay and Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves, Dauphin Island, Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay and Ship Island. At each of these locations, experts in their respective fields led the trips and taught Master Naturalists about local ecology and management. Some notable activities included viewing shell middens, hiking through multiple blooming pitcher plant bogs, catching nearly 50 sharks, spotting at least 5 bald eagles, experiencing a salt marsh and salt panne, and much more!
Needless to say……Fridays won’t be the same until next year’s class.
In addition to the field trips, participants have completed online training modules and are currently developing project ideas. The purpose of these project ideas are to use the collective brainpower of the class to develop creative ways to improve stewardship of natural environments. The diverse backgrounds and perspectives of class participants usually lead to great project ideas. Some previous projects have included mapping of blueways, development of the student naturalist program, educational materials on invasive species, conservation easements, edible native plants, and many more. The whispers I have heard of project ideas from this year’s class so far seem great, and I can’t wait to see what the participants come up with!
Once participants present their project ideas, they become certified Master Naturalists. Their certification is maintained through annual completion of environmentally focused volunteer service hours. Most of these volunteer hours involve fun outdoor activities that range from participating in community science projects, marine debris cleanups, habitat restoration activities, assisting with educational activities for youth and adult audiences, and many more possibilities.
If you would like more information or would like to be placed on the wait list for next year’s course, contact me, the director of coastal and marine extension with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and coastal ecology specialist with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, at [email protected].
Meet the author
Eric Sparks, Ph.D.
Assistant Director for Outreach and Coastal Ecology Specialist
Eric is the assistant director for outreach and a coastal ecology specialist. His work focuses on estuarine and wetland issues, and his specialty areas include coastal conservation and... Read more
Phone: 228-546-1025
Email: [email protected]