Becoming a Master Naturalist involves attending at least forty hours of initial training on Arkansas animals, plants, geology and conservation. These classes are provided on Saturdays starting in January. See below to get an idea of what classes were offered this past winter. To become a Certified Master Naturalist you would then complete at least forty hours of volunteer work and eight hours of advanced training each year.

If you are interestested in being contacted about our next series of classes in Winter of 2009, please email training@ARMasterNaturalist.org. Please include your name, address, and phone number. We will contact next fall with details on the upcoming classes.

2008 Master Naturalist Training Class Schedule

**ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT PINNACLE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.**

JANUARY 19          
9-10       Enjoy coffee and donuts while you are introduced to CAMN officers, curriculum
                committee members, and founders, and get an overview of CAMN program history,
                requirements, and opportunities.
10-12     Meet two of CAMN's founders, Tom Neale and Linda Goza, and hear about their   
                passion to preserve Arkansas' natural places. There will also be an opportunity to get
                to know a little bit about each of the new members with a fun icebreaker.
12-1        Lunch - provided by AMN.
1-3          Tour the Delta Rivers Nature Center with AGFC staff.
**The first class of 2008 will be held at the Delta Rivers Nature Center In Pine Bluff.**

JANUARY 26
9-12              Geology - Scott Ausbrook, AGC
12-12:30      Lunch - Bring your own
12:30-3:30   Meteorology - John Robinson, NWS

FEBRUARY 2
9-12              Tree ID Part 1 - Eric Sundell, Professor Emeritus UAM
12-12:30       Lunch - Bring your own
12:30-3:30   Tours of PMSP trails, Greenhouse, and Arboretum - PMSP staff and CAMN trail                             guides                             

FEBRUARY 9
Optional Advanced Training - Visit this page for more info
**These optional training days are designed to give Naturalists in Training a break from class or the opportunity to get to know other Master Naturalists and to start earning extra education credit hours.**

FEBRUARY 16
9-12              Herpetology - Instructor not confirmed
12-12:30      Lunch - Bring your own
12:30-3:30   Entemology - Michael Warriner, ANHC          

FEBRUARY 23
7pm    Central Arkansas Astronomical Society evening astronomy program at River Ridge    
            Observatory - for map to observatory, please email webmaster.

MARCH 1     
9-12                Aquatic Ecology - Rob Beadel, ADEQ
12-12:30        Lunch - Bring your own
12:30-3:30     Water Systems - John Czarnacki, USGS

MARCH 8
Optional Advanced Training - Visit this page for more info

MARCH 15
9-12                Birding - Dan Schieman, Audubon Arkansas
12-12:30        Lunch - Bring your own
12:30-3:30     Birds of Prey with Rusty Scarborough, AGFC
**Due to the nature of the program, this session will be held at the Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff. As you will have already seen from our first meeting, they have a wonderful assortment of birds of prey and lots of land perfect for birding. Carpooling is highly encouraged. Meeting place and time of departure TBA.**

MARCH 29
9-12                Botany - Theo Witsell, ANHC
12-12:30        Lunch - Bring your own
12:30-3:30     Grand opening of new base trail at PMSP.                      

APRIL 5   
9-12     Interpretation - Linda Goza, ASP
12-1     Lunch and travel to Toltec
1-4       Archaeology - Dr. John House, ASP
**The first session will be held at Plantation Agriculture Museum in Scott, AR, and the second session will be held at Toltec Mounds State Park, also in Scott. You can bring your lunch and eat at either park, or you can stop at Cotham's in Scott for a famous Hubcap Burger. Carpooling is highly encouraged. Meeting place and time of departure TBA.**

APRIL 12
Optional Advanced Training - Visit this page for more info     
    
APRIL 19
9-12               Mammals - Blake Sasse, AGFC
12-12:30       Lunch, bring your own
12:30-3:30    Urban Wildlife - Neil Curry, AGFC
**Meeting place is the temporary administrative offices of the new Stephens Central Arkansas Nature Center. It is located next to the new center, above the Museum of Discovery, in the Museum Center Building (500 Pres. Clinton Ave). The office is in suite 216 . Paid public parking is located a block away on the other side of the Marriott. Free parking is available a block away under the expressway overpass. There is a map to the building at the Museum of Discovery website (http://www.amod.org/general-info-map.html). **

APRIL 26
Optional Volunteer Activity - Visit this page for more info

MAY 3
9-3        Graduation, potluck, and Bio Blitz at Gillam Park
**All presenters and Master Naturalists are invited to Gillam Park in Little Rock for a celebration congratulating new Master Naturalists on their accomplishment. We will also get a chance to put our knowledge to the test in a fun way. Bring your favorite dish for lunch and wear sturdy shoes for trekking around the park.**

*Agency Abbreviations:  AGFC - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, ANHC - Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, USGS - US Geological Survey, AGC - Arkansas Geological Commission, NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NWS - National Weather Service, PMSP - Pinnacle Mountain State Park, ASP - Arkansas State Parks, ADEQ - Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. For more info on these agencies and the others listed on this page, please see our links page.*

*Updated 4.27.2008