The Goodwin Master Naturalist Program
2020 Application
Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, we are suspending the program for spring 2020 and are looking for alternate dates.
James L. Goodwin Conservation Center Master Naturalist program
The mission of James L. Goodwin Conservation Center’s Master Naturalist program is to develop a diverse community of naturalists and promote stewardship of the environment. Are you interested in learning more about the habitats, plants, animals and natural history of Connecticut? Are you a landowner, citizen, teacher, park naturalist, land trust employee, conservation planning board member or natural resource professional looking to increase your knowledge of the natural environment? If so, join us for our 2019 Master Naturalist Training.
Through this program, participants will learn about the ecosystems of Connecticut, the animals and plants that inhabit our area, and current conservation issues affecting our wildlife and natural resources. The program includes a mix of indoor classroom presentations and outdoor hands-on field sessions where participants learn to identify, interpret, and understand key ecological Connecticut’s natural resources through education and service. Participants completing the Level I course will become “Apprentice Naturalists”, and no further training is required. Individuals interested in becoming a “Master Naturalist” may go on to complete the Level II course.
The mission of James L. Goodwin Conservation Center’s Master Naturalist program is to develop a diverse community of naturalists and promote stewardship of the environment. Are you interested in learning more about the habitats, plants, animals and natural history of Connecticut? Are you a landowner, citizen, teacher, park naturalist, land trust employee, conservation planning board member or natural resource professional looking to increase your knowledge of the natural environment? If so, join us for our 2019 Master Naturalist Training.
Through this program, participants will learn about the ecosystems of Connecticut, the animals and plants that inhabit our area, and current conservation issues affecting our wildlife and natural resources. The program includes a mix of indoor classroom presentations and outdoor hands-on field sessions where participants learn to identify, interpret, and understand key ecological Connecticut’s natural resources through education and service. Participants completing the Level I course will become “Apprentice Naturalists”, and no further training is required. Individuals interested in becoming a “Master Naturalist” may go on to complete the Level II course.
2020 Master Naturalist Program Overview:
APPLICATION PROCESS (Level 1)
DATES TBD
Cost: $275.00. Scholarships available.
Short research project with report on the findings.
Attend at least one field trip, date to be determined.
Attend at least three out of of ten special programs offered as a part of the James L Goodwin Conservation Center’s Environmental Education Series.
25 hours of educational outreach.
All requirements completed by September 30, 2020.
Must be 16 years or older.
LEVEL II: MASTER NATURALIST
Successful completion of Apprentice Naturalist, Level I and an additional payment of $275.00.
35 + hours formal classroom/field training consisting of 7 classes taught by specialist in their fields. Dates TBD.
Focus area of research in one or two topics.
In-depth research project in area of focus and report on the findings.
Attend at least two of five special programs offered as a part of the Goodwin Centers
Environmental Education Series.
25 hours of educational outreach.
COURSE MATERIALS
Participants will receive a Master Naturalist manual, field notebook, textbook and hand lens.
APPLICATION PROCESS (Level 1)
- A completed application must be postmarked by March 14, 2020 and submitted to: James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd. Hampton, CT 06247.
- Letters of acceptance will be mailed by Saturday, March 28, 2020.
If accepted into the Master Naturalist Level I program, payment in the form of a check for $275.00 must be postmarked no later than Tuesday April 11, 2020.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
LEVEL I: APPRENTICE NATURALIST
DATES TBD
Cost: $275.00. Scholarships available.
Short research project with report on the findings.
Attend at least one field trip, date to be determined.
Attend at least three out of of ten special programs offered as a part of the James L Goodwin Conservation Center’s Environmental Education Series.
25 hours of educational outreach.
All requirements completed by September 30, 2020.
Must be 16 years or older.
LEVEL II: MASTER NATURALIST
Successful completion of Apprentice Naturalist, Level I and an additional payment of $275.00.
35 + hours formal classroom/field training consisting of 7 classes taught by specialist in their fields. Dates TBD.
Focus area of research in one or two topics.
In-depth research project in area of focus and report on the findings.
Attend at least two of five special programs offered as a part of the Goodwin Centers
Environmental Education Series.
25 hours of educational outreach.
COURSE MATERIALS
Participants will receive a Master Naturalist manual, field notebook, textbook and hand lens.
Read about current Master Naturalist Level II projects!
Join our mailing list for announcements of upcoming programs.
To subscribe to the Listserv:
Send an email to imailsrv@list.state.ct.us
In the email, leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type:
Subscribe DEP-Goodwin YourFirstName YourLastName
Join our mailing list for announcements of upcoming programs.
To subscribe to the Listserv:
Send an email to imailsrv@list.state.ct.us
In the email, leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type:
Subscribe DEP-Goodwin YourFirstName YourLastName
Training Program
Level I (Apprentice Naturalist) consists of a minimum of 35+ hours of instruction composed of classroom sessions and field trips.
Level II (Master Naturalist) is taught by a number of experts in the natural resource community as well as university professors, state and federal agency biologists and specialists.
Level I (Apprentice Naturalist) consists of a minimum of 35+ hours of instruction composed of classroom sessions and field trips.
Level II (Master Naturalist) is taught by a number of experts in the natural resource community as well as university professors, state and federal agency biologists and specialists.
The Goodwin Conservation Center’s Master Naturalist Program is the work and passion of a team led by Juan Sanchez.
Juan Sanchez received a Masters in Science and Natural History with his Teaching certification from Uconn. His education experience spans 4 decades, from 36 years in the Manchester CT public schools, to adjunct professor at CCSU, University of Hartford, Moscow Institute of Science, SCSU, Quinnipiac University, and ECSU. His field work and research are equally impressive, spanning the hemisphere from the Amazon basin, to the study of Black Caimans to inventorying lichens in Newfoundland and Ontario. He is a board member of the Connecticut Bird Conservation Research and Connecticut Botanical Society, and a member of the CT Entomological Society and CT Science Teachers Association. Juan recently left his position as the naturalist at the Goodwin Center and is currently conducting a vernal pool analysis and Atlantic White Cedar Bog vegetation inventory for Joshua’s Trust.
This program is possible by our supporting partners:
CT Department of Energy and the Environment, Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, and the Friends of Goodwin Forest.
CT Department of Energy and the Environment, Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, and the Friends of Goodwin Forest.
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Quotes from Master Naturalist Students 2014:
"This course has opened my eyes to so much more and has left me wanting to learn more. The enthusiasm and passion for what is being taught is incredible." "Loved the program and can't say enough to others about the experiences. 'Awesome' usually starts the conversation." All classes "were extraordinarily well done and the expertise which was apparent for every class would be difficult to match anywhere." "I liked the fact that the course was somewhat challenging while not being demanding. It gave plenty of additional info/opportunity for those well versed in a particular area to follow up without overwhelming those who were less familiar with that area." "Based on my experience with the course, it gave me improved knowledge of CT ecosystems. I have added sufficient knowledge to my repertoire which gives me a greater comfort level for outreach work. The course sparked sufficient interest in me such that I spent the spring and summer reinforcing what I learned." |