Conservation District Offers Master Naturalist Class
Posted
Staff Report-
Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District will host a master naturalist class in Kosciusko County starting in March, according to Darci Zolman, the agency’s program administrator. "The mission of the Indiana Master Naturalist program is to bring together natural resource specialists with adult learners to foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, water, soils and wildlife, and promote volunteer service in local communities," Zolman said. Sponsored on the state level by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the classes will investigate 12 topics specific to the natural resources of the county and Indiana. Classes will meet once a month beginning in March and continue through November. Class meetings will typically include a lecture by a specialist in the specific field, followed by a field trip with hands-on learning, Zolman said. Classes will be on the second Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at various locations in the county. Cost of the program is $170 per person and that covers all the lectures and resource materials including several books. Those who complete the coursework will be interns and full Indiana Master Naturalist certification comes after 24 hours of approved volunteer work. "We're very excited to offer this opportunity to community members who are interested in, and wanting to learn more about, our natural resources – not to mention increasing our volunteer workforce,” Zolman concluded. Applicants must be 18 years or older. For more information, contact Zolman at Kosciusko SWCD, 217 E. Bell Drive, Warsaw, IN 46582. For more information, call 574-267-7445, ext. 5374.
