SEBASTIAN — Anyone seeking to learn more about Florida’s natural world, up close and personal can join the Florida Master Naturalist Program. The program is a natural history training program developed by the University of Florida for adults who wish to know more about Florida’s amazing environment and ultimately to share this knowledge with others. Consisting of three core modules, each of which is a stand-alone course, this spring’s offering will focus on “Coastal Systems.”
Taught by the Environmental Learning Center’s (ELC) Education Director Heather Stapleton and Naturalist Sarah Rhodes-Ondi, the course will run from Tuesday, March 3 through Thursday, April 9.
“We spend a great deal of time discussing the issues facing the state of Florida. We’ll explore the ELC campus, focusing on the current state of the Indian River Lagoon,” said Rhodes-Ondi.
Off-campus trips will include an educational cruise along the lagoon aboard the ELC’s pontoon boat and a coastal uplands sunset hike through the Captain Forster’s Hammock Preserve, one of the only remaining undisturbed maritime hammocks of significant size in Indian River County.
Forty hours of classroom instruction, with guest speakers, and practical experience in interpretation round out the curriculum. Students who successfully complete all three core modules earn the designation of certified Florida Master Naturalist.
The cost is $225 for each module. The courses do not have to be taken in any particular order.
Those interested in participating can register by visiting the website www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu where they will also find a detailed course schedule. Registration for the program closes at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The Environmental Learning Center is located north of Vero Beach, off County Road 510, at the western end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre campus includes exhibit areas, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, gift shop, and a visitor center. ELC membership benefits, a list of its many field excursions, Ecology Adventures, including nature walks, canoe excursions and other boating adventures may be found at www.DiscoverELC.org. Admission to the ELC, a non-profit organization, is $5 per person; there is no charge for ELC members and children 12 and under. The first Saturday of every month is free-of-charge for all.
The ELC is located at 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963