Amanda Jargowsky
Mississippi State University
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Status: Past
Type:
Project Leaders
Project Date Range: 02-01-2022 to 01-31-2025
Keywords: volunteer program, Master Naturalist, resource management
Objectives
Improve public understanding of natural resources and management by developing a pool of local knowledge that can enhance education efforts within communities. Develop a trained volunteer network. Expand the educational capabilities of the Engagement Program by the dissemination of natural resource management information to individuals and groups in Mississippi and Alabama communities.
Methodology
To increase participation in the Master Naturalist Program and promote environmental stewardship the investigators will offer an annual certification course and promote environmentally focused volunteer opportunities. To be certified as a Master Naturalist an individual must attend the certification course which consists of 40 hours of in-depth training in natural resource and wildlife management. This training is taught to Alabama and Mississippi participants by regional experts at various locations throughout the coastal region. Because an additional 40 hours of volunteer service is required each subsequent year to maintain certification in the program Master Naturalists continually promote environmental stewardship within their communities by conducting a variety of educational activities projects and demonstrations.
Rationale
Lack of environmental knowledge often results in poor stewardship of natural resources. Additionally many environmentally conscious individuals are eager to provide volunteer service but these opportunities are often difficult to find. Therefore there is a need to train and connect interested individuals with environmental stewardship opportunities. The Master Naturalist Program was formed to meet this need.