VALPARAISO – The Indiana Master Naturalist Program is a 30-hour continuing education course for adults age 18 and over at Taltree Arboretum. The program provides participants with hands-on opportunities to learn about Indiana’s natural resources. It also offers a way for Master Naturalists to share that knowledge along with life experiences through volunteer service opportunities.
The program is sponsored by the Resource Conservation & Development Councils, Indiana Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The majority of courses that make up the hours are from 9 a.m. until noon and begin in Taltree’s classroom. An exception is the Project Learning Tree course, which is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants should come prepared for these rain or shine classes with sturdy shoes, appropriate clothing for outdoors, paper and writing implements, water bottle and camera if desired. Cost for the program is $100.
The classes are “Welcome, What Does it Mean to be a Naturalist?” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 7; “Geology,” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 13; “Project Learning Tree,” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 16; “Amphibians,” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 20; “Wildlife,” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 4; “Ornithology” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 11; “Hoosier Riverwatch” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 18; “Wildflowers” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 24; “Natural Resources” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 2; and “Final Exam” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 7.
