If you are interested in becoming a Master Naturalist, the first step is to get your name on a prospective class list with Jay Barber at the Missouri Department of Conservation, 417-895-6881, ext. 269, jay.barber@mdc.mo.gov.

The 2013 class features 40 hours of classroom instruction and field trips.

Here’s a link to the class schedule.  Details include:

• Mandatory orientation Aug. 12 OR Aug. 20
• Six classroom sessions Sept. 10 – Oct. 29
• Four field trips Sept. 14 and 28 and Oct. 5 and 19
• Graduation Oct. 29

About Our 2011 Class

To give prospective members some perspective, the Class of 2011 Master Naturalists graduated Oct. 27, 2011, with these Master-Naturalists-in-Training:

Drew Albert, Teri Leigh Baird, Curtis Baker, Sherry Baker, Kathryn Boone, Kathleen Cowens, Stephanie Davison, Debbie Due, Linda Ellis, Andy Hartigan, Guy Headland, Sue Helm, Jan Horton, Mandi Hubbs, David Ketchum, Bob Korpella, Melinda Lantz, Mary McCarthy, Kevin Miles, Tana Pulles, Susan Robords, Alana Roy and Josh Sutterfield.

Here’s a link to the eco regions PowerPoint presented to the class.

Here’s a photo of five class members who by August 2012 had met their certification requirements and become Master Naturalists:  from left,  Bob Korpella, Tana Pulles, Kathryn Boone, Drew Albert and Mary McCarthy.

Here are photos from a class field trip to Rocky Barrens Conservation Area where they studied glades:

And here are images from a capstone project: planting a rain garden outside the new Watershed Committee of the Ozarks facility at Valley Water Mill Park:

Images From 2009 Class

For the record, here are some images of the 2009 class from some of its field trips.