As you are all aware, spring is in full effect and it’s starting to feel like early summer. Wildflowers are blooming and we can thank a couple pine trees for some sneezes. But what this time of year really reminds me of is that it’s time to start planning another Mississippi Master Naturalist certification course.
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.
Hybrid format increases field experiences
Last year was the first time the Coastal Course has been offered in a hybrid format with all lectures being pre-recorded and available on-demand while all field trips were in-person. This structure was well-received because it allowed us to include even more time for field trips and allowed students to complete the lectures whenever convenient for them.
Field trips for the Coastal Course are usually offered on consecutive Fridays in September and October and include several trail hikes, boat rides and other activities throughout coastal Mississippi and Alabama.
Sign up for early registration notification
We are in the middle of planning this year’s Coastal Course and anticipate registration opening in late June or early July. We do have a wait list for the course that you can join. The advantage of being on the wait list is that you will be notified as soon as registration opens and will have a couple days to register before it’s advertised broadly. Last year’s course filled up in less than one day, so only the wait list was notified. If you are interested in joining the wait list, please see instructions at the end of this post.
Once the course is completed, Master Naturalists are certified and start their volunteer work. Currently, to maintain a Mississippi Master Naturalist certification, 40 hours of volunteer service must be completed annually. This may sound like a lot of volunteer service work, but it’s mostly outdoor activities or teaching the next generation about the importance of conservation.
Program builds network of volunteers
Since program inception, Mississippi Master Naturalists have been doing a lot of impactful volunteer work. From 2017 to 2021, Master Naturalists have contributed 17,870 volunteer hours that led to the education of 119,424 people and the improvement of 23,532 acres of habitat! Some of the largest activities include leading environmental education camps for youth, participating in citizen or community science projects, and land/water-based litter removal events.
If you would like more information or would like to be placed on the wait list for this 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]