Florida Master Naturalist Program

The course format is in-person.

Attendance Policy:

• You cannot miss more than 4.75 hours (20% of the 24 contact hours) This is a FMNP policy and cannot be modified by the Instructor.
• To receive certification, the 4.75 hours or less missed must be made up by completing an assignment of equal time and content. Approval of the Instructor is required.
• If total hours missed exceeds 4.75 hours, certification is not possible regardless of material made up.
• All absences should be discussed with the instructor in advance. In case of emergencies, please notify Instructor as soon as possible.

Make-up Time Frame:
• If you miss a class or a field trip, you must make-up the same material. Discuss with instructors prior to making up material. The make-up needs to be completed within a week when possible.
• If you miss more than 4.75 hours, the University of Florida will not certify you as a naturalist, but please keep coming to as many classes as possible…this is your class.

Classroom Presentations: “Classroom” means we are in Clearwater at Moccasin Lake Nature Park in their Classroom Building, unless otherwise instructed. It might be very warm or very cool inside, while being hot outside—please, dress accordingly. Address: MLNP, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL 33759-2602.

Bring Course Material to Class Each Day, Electronic Device to Take Pre/Post Tests, FMNP Name Tag:
• If you ordered a hardcopy course booklet, bring that to each classroom session.
• If you didn’t order a hardcopy course booklet, bring a charged computer to each classroom session to view your electronic course material during class. Outlets are scarce or may not be available.
• Bring a gadget with internet access to take the electronic Pre-test (first day) and Post-Test (last day).
• Bring your fully charged cell phone, tablet, or laptop.

Field Trip Locations & Times may change due to unforeseen circumstances. This rarely happens. It is the student’s responsibility to verify field information. Transportation and lunches are not included.

Class and Field Application Locations, Times, and Possibly Dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, significant flooding, park or road closings, but hopefully they will stay the same. It is the student’s responsibility to verify all class/field trip information, so be sure to check your email and voicemail/texts before you leave for class, or on your way to class each day.

Course Time Schedule does not include travel time, except between AM & PM sessions.

Student Carpooling is Suggested and is up to students to arrange.

Flexible Schedule:
• The schedule times listed are as close as possible, but we need you to be flexible.
• We probably  will not get out early; however, we may run late by a few minutes. Please arrange your schedule so that the class can be flexible. We will try to stick to the listed times, however, your attentiveness to getting back on time from breaks and lunch impacts our schedule. Please be timely.

Caffeine, Snacks and Lunch! If you enjoy coffee or need a snack, you may bring your own, but you must clean up after yourself – beverage rings, crumbs, etc. No Styrofoam – violators have to bring snacks to the hungry class the next day. Always bring a sack lunch – there will not be enough time to get a drive-through meal.

Cell Phones are fine to use outside of class. Please don’t allow them to ring during classroom sessions or on field trips. Talk on the gadgets during break time, lunchtime, before and after class. Violators have to bring snacks to the hungry class the next day.

Personal Fragrances: Please refrain from wearing perfume, fragrant body lotion, or other smells in the classroom. Some students may be sensitive to these odors making them nauseous, causing headaches, or even causing physical symptoms like rashes. Along the odor idea – only apply bug repellant or sunblock when downwind and away from others.

Field Applications:
• For the Environmental Interpretation class, we will apply class concepts outdoors when weather cooperates.
• Transportation and lunches are not included.
• Field conditions vary depending on the time of year and recent weather events.
• Don’t wear perfume/cologne or use perfumed soap/body lotion before going out in the field. This may attract more unwanted buzzing invertebrates known as mosquitoes, midges (no see ‘ems) and flies.
• There are insects (including mosquitoes), spiders, and snakes outdoors. Hopefully, we will see many of these beautiful creatures. Always watch where you are putting your hands and feet. Use your brain before your body.

Field Clothes & Footwear:
• Required – Wear closed-toe shoes at all times in the field. No exceptions. No Crocs, sandals.
• For Water Field Experiences – Wear closed-toe water shoes or old tennis shoes. Wear only shoes that cannot pull off in the soft sand and muck.
• Seasonally, it may be very warm or very cool on our field trips—please, dress accordingly
• Avoid see-through fabrics when wet. For your comfort, always bring rain gear and a spare change of clothes, shoes.
• Suggestions
o Wear Columbia-type, lightweight, long sleeve shirt and pants for sun/insect/thorn protection; wear layers; older clothes and items that can withstand field conditions (dirt, mud, salt, etc.).
o Bring each field day a towel, a complete change of clothes and spare shoes.

Field Items to Bring:
• Required – Drinking water is required in the field. No exceptions. Bring water in a reusable, non-single-use container and bring extra to refill it too.
• Suggestions: Snacks,electrolyte drink, insect repellent, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, towels, field ID resources/apps, notepad and pen.

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