Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program is partnering with three organizations in Southeastern Pennsylvania to offer 55-hour training courses this Fall.

The Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program prepares citizens to become volunteer leaders reaching out to their communities through natural resource conservation education, citizen science, and stewardship and consists of three key components: an initial volunteer training course, annual volunteer service, and continuing education in the natural sciences.

Master Naturalist volunteers design and pursue a wide variety of service projects from habitat restoration and native plantings to designing education programs and interpretative displays or publications on natural history to water quality monitoring and supporting natural resource conservation efforts of partnering organizations.

From 2010 to 2013, Pennsylvania Master Naturalist volunteers in Southeastern Pennsylvania have: engaged in 4,117 hours of conservation service; contributed $90,296 in conservation value and impact to 80 regional partners; reached over 4,000 people through outreach service; and improved 257 acres of habitat through stewardship service.

Seeking New Applicants

Individuals interested in the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program are invited to apply by visiting Pennsylvania Master Naturalist’s website.  The application deadline for fall training is June 2.

This initial training for the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist will be offered at three locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2014:

-- Bucks County: Silver Lake Nature Center, Bristol (September - November)

-- Chester County:  The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County, Bucktoe Creek Preserve, Kennett Square (August - November)

-- Lancaster County: Lancaster County Conservancy, Lancaster (August - November)

For more information, visit the PA Master Naturalist website or contact Andrea Stevens by sending email to: progcoord@pamasternaturalist.org or calling 570-764-7628 or Michele Richards by sending email to: michele@pamasternaturalist.org or calling 570-441-3364.

4/14/2014