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Florida Master Naturalist Program

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Florida Master Naturalist Program

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Let's strengthen the conservation ethic of FL together! All FMNP Friends Groups are recognized on the FMNP website.**

The FMNP is an adult environmental education program promoting awareness, understanding, & respect of Florida's natural world in collaboration with partner organizations statewide. The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education UF/IFAS Extension program developed by the University of Florida and provided by many Extension offices and participating organizations throughout the state of Florida. FMNP training will benefit persons interested in learning more about Florida’s environment or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, ecotourism guides, and others. The Florida Master Naturalist Program is committed to celebrating diversity of people, thought and opinion and to promote inclusiveness, respect and equal opportunity for everyone. Friend's Group pages:
Pinellas County:
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfPinellasMasterNaturalists

Southeast Region:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/457766781037867

Space Coast Region:
https://www.facebook.com/FMNPspacecoastregionalchapter

St. Lucie County:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/188437214590420/

North Florida Region:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/229841740517432/

North East Region:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/124946364331456/

Palm Beach County:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/132626005003/

**To establish a new FMNP Friends Group, please follow the directions located on our website (https://masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/participant-portal/friends-of-fmnp-groups/) and submit the checklist items to the FMNP State Office at [email protected]. Any group who would like to become an official FMNP friends group is required to submit the necessary paperwork.

10/25/2026

🍃 Sunday Spotlight: Voices of FMNP

This week, we're featuring James Henderson of Vero Beach, a Certified Florida Master Naturalist whose passion for nature photography led him to a deeper understanding of Florida's natural world.

After retiring in 2007, James discovered that learning about wildlife and ecosystems would help him become a better photographer. That curiosity led him to FMNP and the Environmental Learning Center in Wabasso. Today, James is in his 15th year as a Nature Guide, leading educational boat tours to Pelican Island on the Indian River Lagoon and sharing his knowledge with visitors from around the world.

Thank you, James, for inspiring others through education, stewardship, and a lifelong love of nature.
CLICK the link below to submit your story:

10/20/2026

🌿 Attention East Central Florida nature enthusiasts!

From the unique upland habitats of Brevard County to the wildlife-rich landscapes of Volusia County, FMNP is offering two exciting opportunities to explore the natural heritage of East Central Florida.

🦅 Brevard County Upland Systems students will discover Florida's upland ecosystems through expert instruction, field experiences, and hands-on learning focused on native habitats, ecological processes, and conservation challenges.

🦉 Volusia County Wildlife Monitoring students will learn the tools and techniques used by researchers and land managers to monitor Florida's wildlife populations and habitats. Through hands-on experiences, participants will explore how wildlife data supports conservation, management, and long-term stewardship.

💬 One past FMNP participant summed up their experience best: "Absolutely amazing class with fabulous instructors. I can't recommend this enough!"

📍 Brevard County Upland Systems:
https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/us26-14hybrid.php
📍 Volusia County Wildlife Monitoring:
https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/M26-05inperson.php

⚠️ Limited spots available. Don't wait to sign up!
https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/us26-14hybrid.php

10/18/2026

🍃 Sunday Spotlight: Voices of FMNP

This week, we're featuring Christie Miller!

Through FMNP, Christie gained the background knowledge of Florida scrub habitats that helped her lead public education hikes. Today, she serves as manager of the Lyonia Environmental Center, where she continues to use what she learned through FMNP to help shape exhibits and educational programs that connect people with Florida's unique natural communities.

Christie's story is a wonderful example of how FMNP knowledge can support both professional growth and environmental education.

Thank you, Christie, for sharing your story with us!
To share your's, click on the link and fill out the form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXH3ZnFCUdqYuHBdecjpmZnqiKJlaC3RpMnTo2kd8AiHAQtA/viewform

10/16/2026

🥳 Our very own FMNP Instructor, Karen Rose, is leading this month's webinar for the Southeast Master Naturalist Continuing Education Series!

🐢 In collaboration with MN programs in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina, the SMNCES brings naturalists from across the region together in conversations about our shared environments.

🦩 On Tuesday, October 27th @ 7pm EST, Karen will share a presentation about wading birds of Florida. Register at the link below for a sneak-peek into a class with one of our most active and engaging FMNP instructors in the state!

https://uga.zoom.us/meeting/register/v__tUN54TFGEO5IlCrxayg #/registration

10/11/2026

🍃 Sunday Spotlight: Voices of FMNP

This week, we're featuring Linda Fraser!

A Canadian who has spent several months in Florida each year for the past 30 years, Linda's FMNP journey began after an unforgettable encounter with a North Atlantic Right Whale. That moment sparked a passion for learning that led her to FMNP and eventually all the way to the Cook Islands, where she has spent the past three years volunteering to study humpback whales.

✨When asked what FMNP means to her, Linda summed it up perfectly:
"It has opened up the world to me in countless ways."

Click on the link to share your success story TODAY:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXH3ZnFCUdqYuHBdecjpmZnqiKJlaC3RpMnTo2kd8AiHAQtA/viewform

10/04/2026

🌿 Welcome to Sunday Spotlight: Voices of FMNP!

We're excited to launch a new series dedicated to celebrating the people who make the Florida Master Naturalist Program so special.

Every Sunday, we'll highlight an FMNP graduate or participant from somewhere in Florida, sharing their story in their own words. From personal successes and meaningful final projects to the ways FMNP has deepened their connection to Florida's natural resources, these spotlights showcase the passion and impact of our statewide community.

✨Today, we're kicking things off with a Florida Master Naturalist from DeLand, Roger Fulton! Fulton Outdoors

Check out these links to learn more about his work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Culcix9iux4
https://rogerfulton.com/

Use this link to fill out your own Success Story:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXH3ZnFCUdqYuHBdecjpmZnqiKJlaC3RpMnTo2kd8AiHAQtA/viewform?pli=1

10/03/2026

🌊 Duval County Coastal Systems students will journey through beaches, estuaries, coastal uplands, and marine habitats at several Northeast Florida parks. Past participants praised the course's "excellent enthusiasm from our instructors," "very knowledgeable presentations," and friendly learning environment.

🦅 Polk County Habitat Evaluation participants will explore habitat assessment, field sampling, and water quality monitoring at Crooked Lake Sandhill and Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. One recent graduate shared that "getting out in the field and hearing from the professionals and getting a chance to use their tools was the best."

Whether you're passionate about wildlife, conservation, or simply understanding Florida's incredible ecosystems, there's a place for you in FMNP.

📍Register today!

Duval County: https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs26-13inperson.php

Polk County: https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/E26-04inperson.php

10/02/2026

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of joining our FMNP partners Oakland Nature Preserve at their 2026 Nature Fest! 😍 🌿

Our FMNP instructor team at ONP took this opportunity to say Cheers to 25 Years of FMNP. We had the chance to connect local conservationists and lifelong learners to FMNP as an education and empowerment program. ONP also had tons of FMNP group projects on display (photos included) from their Upland and Freshwater Systems courses. (AND, the weather was beautiful!) The ideal day if you ask us 🦋 🌞

Thank you to ONP for including us this event and for serving as vital partners in teaching FMNP courses through the years. Stay connected to their socials and ours for their 2027 course offerings! 🤩 📆

09/25/2026

‼️ In counties all across the state (Charlotte, St. Lucie/Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, Duval, Orange) FMNP Instructors are blazing through the Fall with course offerings! This post highlights courses with upcoming registration deadlines, and start dates in the early weeks of October.

🫵 Check out our Facebook Events page and our website's Course Registration page (links in profile) for detailed agendas, booking links, and more!

🦋 If you've been looking for a hands-on way to deepen your understanding of Florida's remarkable ecosystems and tools to protect them, one of these courses may be the perfect opportunity.

09/11/2026

(and Saturday with the Urban Butterfly Initiative!)

🦋 Help Celebrate Butterfly Big Day 2026 Tomorrow! On Saturday September 12th, join us in celebrating the inaugural annual Butterfly Big Day by helping document butterflies around the world.

🐛 Butterfly Big Day is an international event designed for people of all ages to find as many wild butterflies as they can, spread awareness of the importance of butterflies & other pollinators, and learn how we can help their populations.

❓ Participating is easy! Just download the free iNaturalist app and sign up for a free account. You can also use a web browser and access the iNaturalist web site (inaturalist.org).

📷 Take photos of free-living butterflies (not captive or from butterfly houses)
Submit your photos to iNaturalist. Photos of butterflies submitted anywhere in the world on 12th September will count for Butterfly Big Day! You do not have to be able to identify the butterfly in order for your observations to be useful.

🐞 For more information, links to quick iNaturalist tutorial videos, and to find the Butterfly Big Day regional partner in your part of the world, visit www.urbanbutterflies.org/big-day. To see all the Butterfly Big Day submissions, visit the iNaturalist project page during or after the event: www.inaturalist.org/projects/butterfly-big-day-2026.

Address

University Of
Gainesville, FL
32611

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://MasterNaturalist.org/

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