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General FMNP Information
Q. Is there an age restriction for attending an FMNP course?
A. Participant must be 18 years of age or older.
Q. Does FMNP require a pre-requisite before registering for an FMNP course?
A. No. This is an adult education UF/IFAS Extension program offered by the University of Florida to the general public. Be prepared to learn a lot about Florida’s environment!
Q. Can I receive university credit upon completion of an FMNP course?
A. No. The FMNP does not provide university credit toward a degree-seeking program.
Q. Is there a residency restriction for attending an FMNP course?
A. No. You can take a class offered in any county, as long as you register and pay for the class in advance. It does matter whether you are a Florida resident or located out of state.
Q. Can I apply a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or the state of Florida employee tuition waiver program to an FMNP course?
A. No. The FMNP does not provide university credit toward a degree-seeking program. Student financial aid is not offered for FMNP courses.
Q. What are the benefits of completing an FMNP course?
A. FMNP training provides information about Florida’s environment for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, ecotourism guides, and others.
Q. If I have a functional need how do I relay my request for accommodations?
A. Functional needs of participants with disabilities, such as hearing, visual or walking can be reasonably accommodated by contacting the FMNP Instructor (information listed on the course web page) or call 711 TTY/TDD at least 30 days prior to the course start date.
Q. Is there a limit on the number of attendees for each FMNP course?
A. It depends upon the instructor's preference and/or the number of persons legally allowed inside the facility classroom and at a field trip location. FMNP policy has set the attendee maximum at 25 per course.
Course Registration
Q. What forms of payment are allowed?
A. Credit card (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX & Discover), Check and PO/Invoice are accepted.
Q. When does payment for an FMNP course have to be received?
A. One week prior to the course start date, unless previous arrangement made with the FMNP Registrar. Reminder of non-payment will be emailed with a deadline.
Q. What if my payment is not received a week prior to my FMNP course start date?
A. Your registration will be cancelled and that course space released.
Q. To whom do I make my check payable and where is it mailed?
A. Make your check payable to University of Florida Leadership & Education Foundation, Inc.
(UFLEF, Inc.) and mail to:
Attn: FMNP Registration
PO Box 110750
2311 Mowry Road, Bldg. 78
Gainesville, FL 32611
Q. What is UFLEF, Inc.’s Federal ID number?
A. 59-3104978
Q. Where is my receipt/ invoice?
A. In your email. Upon completing registration you will be directed to a confirmation screen. A copy of this confirmation is also automatically emailed to the address listed in your attendee profile. This confirmation serves as your receipt of payment OR as an invoice for a balance due. So you can search your inbox, the email comes from FMNP Registrar, Shelby Sowder. If you have strict spam filters, your confirmation may have been intercepted. Still can’t find it? Email Shelby at msowder@ufl.edu to request a copy.
Q. Can I register more than one person at a time?
A. Yes, once you complete the first registration profile, you will have the option to add an additional registration. Whether paying by credit or check for multiple attendees, you and/or your organization may use one card number or check for all participants.
Q. I started my registration but was interrupted, am I registered?
A. No. Your registration is not complete until your form of payment has been submitted. (If sending a check or deferring payment, you are considered registered so long as the “check” or “invoice” option has been selected and submitted.) Registration is complete once you arrive at the confirmation screen and receive a copy of the confirmation in your email.
Q. Am I able to change the course selection after I register?
A. Yes, email Shelby Sowder (msowder@ufl.edu) the new course you wish to take. If a space is available, she will remove the old course selection and add the new course to your registration. Once she updates your registration profile, you will receive an updated registration confirmation in your email.
Q. My organization will not pay for the total course fee. Can I use multiple forms of payment on my registration?
A. Yes. Once you arrive at the payment screen when registering, adjust the “Amount to apply to this payment” to reflect the amount of the first form of payment, complete the process and click the "Continue" button at the bottom of the page. Your first payment will be processed and the amount will automatically update to reflect the new “Balance Due”. Delete the payment information you previously entered, input the new information and click the "Continue" button at the bottom of the page.
Q. If I cannot pay the entire registration fee, can I arrange a payment plan?
A. Yes. Select the “invoice” option when prompted for payment. This will allow you to register for a course while providing the flexibility to pay by check or credit card at a later date. Please contact the FMNP Registrar, Shelby Sowder (msowder@ufl.edu) or call 352-294-3583 to finalize a payment plan.
Q. I need to cancel my registration. What are my options?
A. Refer to the cancellation policy listed under Core Modules and/or Special Topics Information. (SEE BELOW)
Q. How do I replace my registration with a substitute attendee?
A. Email FMNP Registrar, Shelby Sowder (msowder@ufl.edu), with your information and the name & full contact (mailing address, phone number & email address) of the person substituting for you.
Q. After my registration has been completed, how will I receive the course manual?
A. The instructor will distribute an electronic file (PDF) of the course manual on the first day. If the optional printed manual is selected, it will be distributed as follows:
In- person and Hybrid course: Your instructor will hand out the hard copies at the first session.
Online course: Near the start date, manual shipped to the physical (shipping) address indicated in your registration. If your address is outside of the United States, you are responsible for paying shipping costs. Additional information will be emailed.
FMNP Core Courses
Q. What is a core course?
A. It a track of three courses: Coastal Systems, Freshwater Systems and Upland Systems.
Each core course provides 40 educational contact hours and includes a combination of classroom learning, field trips and practical experience in interpretation. An individual interpretative talk and a group project are required.
Q. What is the cost to attend a core course?
A. Registration Fee is per person and per course. Prices for 2024:
$350 Attendee Fee - Includes electronic file (PDF) of manual
$425 Attendee Fee with Color Manual - Includes the PDF and a printed bound copy.
Q. What does the attendee fee include?
A.The attendee fee includes the course manual and upon successful completion, a FMNP patch, certificate and pin denoting the course you completed, and a FMNP nametag (if not previously received).
Q. What is the Attendance Policy for a core course?
A. A student cannot miss more than 8 hours (20% of the 40 total contact hours). All absences should be discussed with the instructor is advance.
Q. What is the make-up time frame for a core course?
A.To receive your certificate, the time and material you miss must be made-up (by completing an assignment of equivalent time and content) with an instructor’s approval before the material is missed.The Instructor will provide the acceptable completion time frame.
Q. What is the Cancellation Policy for a core course?
A. Requests for registration refunds will be honored if written notice of cancellation is received at least 10 working days prior to the start of a class. An $80 processing fee will be deducted from all Core class refunds. Email refund requests to the FMNP Registrar, Shelby Sowder (msowder@ufl.edu).
Q. If I cancel my registration, is there another option besides a refund?
A. Yes. You may request a transfer. The amount paid is applied to a future core course. No additional amount is charged, if the transfer occurs within 12 months. Requests received after 13 months, will have a transfer fee (currently $90) applied. The FMNP Registrar adds an approval note in your current registration record.
Q. What are the steps involved in the transfer process?
A.
- Registrant contacts instructors in their area to be added to FMNP course interest list.
- Instructor sends announcement a new core course was scheduled.
- Registrant reviews the course information online and verifies that all dates/times fit into their personal calendar.
- Registrant contacts the FMNP Registrar (Shelby Sowder): msowder@ufl.edu or 352-294-3583.
- FMNP Registrar adds the registrant to the new course and sends a registration confirmation from the online system.
Q. What happens when I complete my final Core course?
A. You qualify for the designation of Florida Master Naturalist (FMN). During the registration process, select the FMN box. This will ensure this information is provided to your FMNP instructor. After the last class, you will receive a FMN certicate and pin.
FMNP Special Topics Courses: Land steward and Restoration
Q. What is the Land steward track?
A. It consists of four courses: Conservation Science, Environmental Interpretation, Wildlife Monitoring, and Habitat Evaluation. Each course provides 24 educational contact hours, which includes presentations, class discussions and either a planned activity or field trip to practice techniques or review concepts learned in the class.
Q. What is the restoration track?
A. This track has four courses: Coastal Shoreline Restoration, Marine Habitat Restoration, Invasive Plants of Florida and Freshwater Restoration. A fifth and final course (Upland Restoration) is in development. Each restoration course provides 24 educational contact hours, which includes classroom learning and hands-on experience.
Q. What is the cost to attend a Land Steward or Restoration course?
A.Registration Fee is per person and per course. Prices for 2024:
$250 Attendee Fee - Includes electronic file (PDF) of manual
$295 Attendee Fee with Color Manual - Includes the PDF and a printed bound copy.
Q. What does the registration fee include?
A. The attendee fee includes, upon successful completion, a FMNP patch, certificate and pin denoting the course you completed, and a FMNP nametag (if not previously received).
Q. What is the Cancellation Policy for a Land Stweard or Restoration series course?
A. Requests for registration refunds will be honored if notice of cancellation is received by the University of Florida / IFAS, Office of Conferences & Institutes, 10 working days prior to the course start date. Please contact the FMNP Registrar, Shelby Sowder (msowder@ufl.edu) or call 352-294-3583. Refund requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for approval. A $45 processing fee ($55 starting in 2024) will be deducted from all refunds.
Q. If I cancel my registration, is there another option besides a refund?
A. Yes. You may request a transfer. The amount paid is applied to a future special topic course. No additional amount is charged, if the transfer occurs within 12 months. Requests received after the deadline provided, will have a transfer fee (currently $80) applied. The FMNP Registrar adds an approval note in your current registration record.
Q. What are the steps involved in the transfer process?
A. Here are the usual steps involved.
- Registrant contacts instructors in his/her area to be added to FMNP course interest list.
- Instructor sends announcement a new core module course was scheduled.
- Registrant reviews the course information online and verifies the new dates fit into their personal calendar.
- Registrant contacts the FMNP Registrar, Shelby Sowder (msowder@ufl.edu). If email access is limited, she can be reached by phone at 352-294-3583.
- FMNP Registrar adds the registrant to the new course and sends a registration confirmation from the online system.
Q. What happens when I complete my final special topic module?
A. You qualify for the designation of Florida Land Steward. During the registration process, select the FL land steward box. This will ensure this information is provided to your FMNP instructor. At the last class, you will receive a master plaque and pin.
Q. What is the Attendance Policy for a special topics or restoration series course?
A. A student cannot miss more than 4.75 hours (20% of the 24 total contact hours). All absences should be discussed with the instructor is advanced.
Q. What is the make-up time frame for a core module course?
A.To receive your certificate, the time and material you miss must be made-up (by completing an assignment of equivalent time and content) with an instructor’s approval before the material is missed.The Instructor will provide the acceptable completion time frame.
Still have questions? Please contact the FMNP Registrar at 352-294-3583.