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Florida Master Naturalist Program

Florida Master Naturalist Program

FMNP Coastal Systems Logo

Santa Rosa & Escambia Counties

October 2 - November 12, 2024
Registration closes at 10:00am Eastern on September 27, 2024
(Course Code: cs24-17)

The course format is in-person.
In-person Class FacilitiES

City of Gulf Breeze Parks & Recreation: Center
800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County Office: Main Bldg. and Windstorm Bldg.
3740 Stefani Rd, Cantonment, FL 32533

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

Santa Rosa Tourist Development Office
8543 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566


Instructors Information

Lead and Point of Contact: Carrie Stevenson, Coastal Sustainability Agent
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, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County; and
Thomas Derbes, Sea Grant Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County


Tentative Course Agenda

Open the PDF below to view the full agenda for this course.

View Agenda (PDF)


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.

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.

Make-up time frame: If you miss a class or a field trip, you must make-up the same material. The makeup time needs to be completed within a week when possible. This will keep you from getting behind, as much of the material builds upon itself.

Classroom Presentations:

We will be meeting at a variety of locations throughout Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Baldwin Counties. Please pay close attention to the schedule. Instructors will provide detailed directions via email prior to the first class and ongoing throughout class prior to each field trip/new location. Please contact instructor if you have any questions.  In the classroom, it might be very warm or very cool—please, dress accordingly.

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

Course Time Schedule:does not include travel time required to drive to meeting locations.

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.We will try to stick to the listed times, but please arrange your schedule so that the class can be flexible.
  • Course time schedule does not include your travel time (except between AM & PM classes).

Food & Drinks! Please utilize reusable food and drink containers. Food and drinks are allowed in the classrooms. Please bring your own beverages and snacks. Lunch is on your own and often out in the field, so best to plan to pack your lunch each day. We will provide water coolers on field trips to refill water bottles.

Cell Phones:They 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.

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 Closed-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 footwear 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.



Please Note: Recommend using a tablet, laptop, or PC with Chrome and/or Firefox installed when viewing and registering.

Have any questions? Please read through our Frequently Asked Questions page.