Biologist Doug Wood (right) leads a Master Naturalist class including Carolyn Barker on a field trip in Kanawha State Forest.
The Kanawha Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Master Naturalist program is looking for a few dozen good nature-loving men and women to take part in its fifth full year of classes, field training and volunteer work.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Kanawha Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Master Naturalist program is looking for a few dozen good nature-loving men and women to take part in its fifth full year of classes, field training and volunteer work.
Sponsored by the Division of Natural Resources, the program involves 64 hours of classroom and fieldwork, plus 30 hours of volunteer service.
Classroom sessions generally last two to three hours for each topic, and about half of those classes involve hands-on work in the field, usually Kanawha State Forest. The classes, offered over the course of a year, include wildflowers, trees, mammals, birds, geology, general ecology, nature in winter, wetlands, aquatic habitats, reptiles and amphibians.
DNR personnel, current and retired college professors and a variety of expert naturalists teach the classes and lead the field trips.
"It's for anyone from high school age on up who is interested in learning more about the outdoors," said Carolyn Barker of South Charleston, who recently completed the program, along with her husband, Frank. "It's also a lot of fun."
Volunteer work required of participants can include a variety of projects, ranging from leading hikes to restoring vegetation, removing invasive species, and manning informational booths at festivals and fairs.
"We helped build trails in Coonskin Park, worked on trails at Cato Park, and led wildflower walks in Kanawha State Forest," said Barker. "Some of the people in our class helped out with the state Hunting and Fishing Days program at Stonewall Jackson Resort State Park."
While enrollees can take several years to complete the classwork and serve the volunteer requirements, some participants earn their Master Naturalist certification in one year.
The West Virginia Master Naturalist program was launched in 2005, following a successful pilot project the previous year at Hawks Nest State Park. It is patterned loosely on the master gardener programs that have gained popularity nationwide.
Classes for the next Kanawha Valley area session of the Master Naturalist program will begin later in October, on a yet-to-be-determined date. Cost of the program is $85.
To sign up for the classes or to get more information, contact Carolyn Barker at 304-744-0775 or rangercaro...@yahoo.com.
Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelham...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5169.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Kanawha Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Master Naturalist program is looking for a few dozen good nature-loving men and women to take part in its fifth full year of classes, field training and volunteer work.
Sponsored by the Division of Natural Resources, the program involves 64 hours of classroom and fieldwork, plus 30 hours of volunteer service.
Classroom sessions generally last two to three hours for each topic, and about half of those classes involve hands-on work in the field, usually Kanawha State Forest. The classes, offered over the course of a year, include wildflowers, trees, mammals, birds, geology, general ecology, nature in winter, wetlands, aquatic habitats, reptiles and amphibians.
DNR personnel, current and retired college professors and a variety of expert naturalists teach the classes and lead the field trips.
"It's for anyone from high school age on up who is interested in learning more about the outdoors," said Carolyn Barker of South Charleston, who recently completed the program, along with her husband, Frank. "It's also a lot of fun."
Volunteer work required of participants can include a variety of projects, ranging from leading hikes to restoring vegetation, removing invasive species, and manning informational booths at festivals and fairs.
"We helped build trails in Coonskin Park, worked on trails at Cato Park, and led wildflower walks in Kanawha State Forest," said Barker. "Some of the people in our class helped out with the state Hunting and Fishing Days program at Stonewall Jackson Resort State Park."
While enrollees can take several years to complete the classwork and serve the volunteer requirements, some participants earn their Master Naturalist certification in one year.
The West Virginia Master Naturalist program was launched in 2005, following a successful pilot project the previous year at Hawks Nest State Park. It is patterned loosely on the master gardener programs that have gained popularity nationwide.
Classes for the next Kanawha Valley area session of the Master Naturalist program will begin later in October, on a yet-to-be-determined date. Cost of the program is $85.
To sign up for the classes or to get more information, contact Carolyn Barker at 304-744-0775 or rangercaro...@yahoo.com.
Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelham...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5169.
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