Escambia County

March 28 - May 16, 2023
Class filled. Contact Instructor for wait list.
(Course Code: cs23-09)


In-Person Class Facilities

Gulf Breeze Recreation Center
800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL

Perdido Key Community Center
15500 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507

UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County: Windstorm Building
3740 Stefani Rd, Cantonment, FL 32533

Santa Rosa Tourist Development Office Building
8543 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, FL 32566


Instructors Information

Lead and Point of Contact: Carrie Stevenson, Coastal Sustainability Agent IV
Organization: UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County
Phone: 850-475-5230
Email:  ctsteven@ufl.edu
Website: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia/


Associates: Rick O'Connor, Sea Grant Agent IV, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County
Chris Verlinde, Santa Rosa County
Dave Barker, Navarre Beach Kayaks


The course format is in-person.

Tentative Course Agenda

Scroll through the Agenda below to view all dates


The course format is in-person.


Course Guidelines

Covid-19 safety precautions

In light of the latest CDC updates and guidance from UF health experts, we no longer require masks during in-person FMNP activities but welcome masks for those who wish to wear them and voice support for those who do.

Classroom Presentations

Classes will held at various locations, which are listed within the agenda.


Field Trip Locations & Times

May change due to unforeseen circumstances. We will go over any changes to the schedule in class and/or an e-mail will be sent to all students.  Transportation and lunches are not included.

Course Time Schedule

Does not include travel time required to drive to meeting locations, except between AM & PM classes..

Attendance Policy
  • You cannot miss more than 8 hours (20% of the 40 contact hours) This is a FMNP policy and cannot be modified by the Instructor.
  • To receive certification, the 8 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 8 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.

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.

Cell Phones: They are fine to use outside of class. Please don’t allow them to ring during classroom sessions or on field trips.

Field Trips:
  • Water is Required to be Carried with You – No Exceptions.
  • Bring: water, snacks, field ID books, notepad and pen, binoculars, insect repellent, towels and an optional change of clothes (spare shoes/socks/pants/shirt).
  • 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. Also, recommended to not wear in class, as many people are sensitive.
  • 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.
  • Required: Always Wear Close-toed Shoes. The field trails are not always level or easy to travel; some plants have thorns; there may be poison ivy; fire ants, etc. Open-toed shoes are not acceptable to be worn in the field.
  • Be aware that typically you will be experiencing a variety of environments. For your comfort, always bring a spare change of clothes. Freshwater ecosystems are sometimes wet!
  • Wear: layered clothes, long sleeves and pants, hiking boots or appropriate foot wear for the day’s field trip, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent (especially on feet/legs).
  • It might be very hot or cold, or wet on our field trips—please, dress accordingly.

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Ripples spread when a single pebble is dropped. Please consider contributing to the FMNP Endowment Fund, or contact Dr. Main at mmain@ufl.edu to discuss options for a major gift. Thank you for your ongoing actions to help conserve Florida’s environment for future generations to enjoy!



The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. While extending into every community of the state, UF/IFAS has developed a national and international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research and Extension.

UF/IFAS OCI

OCI stands for the Office of Conferences & Institutes. It is a full service conference planning agency at the University of Florida. OCI was created to support the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) mission to develop knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and to make that knowledge available to people to sustain and enhance the quality of life.

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  • Phone:
    (352) 294-3583
  • Email:
    msowder@ufl.edu
  • Address:
    2311 Mowry Road, Bldg. 78
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    Gainesville, FL 32611