Spring 2014 Tennessee Naturalist Program Accepting Registrations

Program Will Be Held in April at Cumberland Mountain State Park

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Naturalist Program is now accepting applications for this spring’s 2014 program at Cumberland Mountain State Park. The program will be held April 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23.

Participants in the program will gain a contemporary understanding of native ecosystems through firsthand field experience and classroom work. Since field observations are essential for a practical understanding of our environment, at least half of the instructional training will be outdoors. Topics covered in the accelerated 40 hours of coursework will include ecology, geology, plants, fungi, invertebrates, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Upon completion of the coursework, participants will complete the certification by volunteering 40 hours to a variety of projects, such as outreach at parks, nature centers, museums, schools and wildlife refuges.

Registration for the program is $200 per person for the workshop. Meals and lodging are not included in the fee. The registration deadline is April 4.

The Tennessee Naturalist Program is an adult education workshop designed to teach Tennesseans about the natural world, inspire the desire to learn more about Tennessee’s natural resources and instill a sense of environmental stewardship within their communities. Tennessee Naturalists create a lasting relationship with the biological world and become a critical resource for educating the public and maintaining the natural beauty of the state.

For more information and to register for the workshop, contact Monica Johnson at monica.johnson@tn.gov or Randy Hedgepath at randy.hedgepath@tn.gov. For more information on the Tennessee Naturalist Program, visit http://tnnaturalist.com.  

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