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Master Naturalist program features field trips, nature events

Photo Provided Turner Sharp describes trees found on the big tree trail at North Bend State Park in Ritchie County during a Master Naturalist program this month.

PARKERSBURG — Do you enjoy learning about nature and spending time exploring the wonders of our natural world?

If so, consider joining the West Virginia Master Naturalist Programs, Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter, an organization official said.

The local program covers 64 hours of classes every year through indoor course work, numerous field trips and networking with nature events across the region.

Instructors include naturalists throughout West Virginia and Ohio. With an emphasis on the ecology of the Appalachian Mountains, courses include mammals, wildflowers, mushrooms, birds, geology, reptiles, amphibians, insects, aquatic habitats, and environmental education.

Some of the upcoming events are visits to Burkhart Farm in Ritchie County, Babcock State Park, Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Reserve Visitors Center and North Bend State Park.

Photo Provided Turner Sharp describes trees found on the big tree trail at North Bend State Park in Ritchie County during a Master Naturalist program this month.

If interested, contact coordinator Emily Grafton at 304-906-7846 or email emily.grafton@gmail.com for more information. Brochures are available at local libraries.

Area residents are invited to attend the organization’s April 13 workshop (All About Birds) at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, 3982 Waverly Road in Williamstown, with Michael Schramm providing a program from 9 a.m. until noon. Contact Grafton if you plan to attend on April 13.

A full schedule of classes and field trips is planned for now through Nov. 9. There is a $125 fee to join which covers your participation for as long as it takes for you to complete the 64 hours. It includes a DNR Master Naturalist Manual and covers cost of instructor stipends and copying.

Many of the certified participants return every year for certain classes. The local program is six years old.

Course work and volunteer time qualify trainees for certification as a West Virginia Master Naturalist. Some people have joined the program for the course work and field trips, and opted out of full certification which requires volunteer hours, Grafton said.

Meetings for the program generally occur in the first or second week of each month. Monthly workshop dates vary because of the timing of location availability, availability of speakers and time of year, Grafton said.

No previous training is required to join this program; currently, the program is for people 16 years and older.

The optional field trip to Babcock State Park in Fayette County in May involves a day and a half of exploration to see warblers, beaver ponds and a night hike at the lake.

Students must complete 30 volunteer hours, which can be helping with nature education activities at the refuge or state parks, or invasive species removal, or assist a biologist with a wildlife survey or habitat improvement projects.

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