I'm pleased to report that the Florida MasterNaturalist Program (FMNP) was recentlyrecognized with 5 awards from the Association ofNatural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP).Four were awarded as part of the 2001 ANREPEducational Materials Awards Program. Theyincluded a Gold Award for the FMNP FreshwaterWetlands Instructor Media Disc (Slide Set/Computerized Graphic Presentation category), aGold Award for the FMNP Wetlands Video Series(Video category), a Gold Award for programmaterials for the FMNP Wetlands Module (MixedMaterials category), and a Bronze Award for theFMNP brochure (Promotional Materials category).In addition to the awards for educational materials,a Gold Award was received at the 3rd AnnualANREP Conference for the poster presentation "TheFlorida Master Naturalist Program: A New Modelfor Environmental Education."

At the local level, I was honored to be chosen by theSouth West Audubon Society as "EnvironmentalEducator of the Year." This award reflects the successof the FMNP, which is a testament to the excellentassistance I have received from Ginger as well as thesuperb efforts of the many FMNP Instructors thathave made this program available to Florida'scitizens. Ginger Allen (FMNP Program Coordinator)submitted the nomination and, among the manynice things she said, she stated that: "Formingpartnerships with a University of Florida ExtensionProgram and public/private organizations was anew approach to environmental education." Thepartnerships are the reason for our collective andcontinued success - thanks to everyone.

Keep up the great work!

Dr. Martin B. Main, FMNP Program Director

Volume 2, No. 3 July 2002

Florida Master Naturalist ProgramFMNP Receives Nationaland Local Awards

Program Update .................................... 1Instructor Information ........................ 2Wild Eye .................................................. 3Interpretive Tracks ............................... 3Class Information ................................. 4Contacts ................................................... 4

2002 FMNP Freshwater WetlandsClasses Graduate 209The Freshwater Wetlands classes were wellattended during the first half of this year. Incentral and south Florida, 16 classes werecompleted and 209 students graduated.Congratulations to the newly graduated FMNPWetlands Naturalists, and to the Instructorswho trained them!

Annisa Karim - New FMNP ProgramAssistantWe are pleased to announce that the FMNP hashired Annisa Karim as our new programassistant. Annisa will be assisting in all aspectsof the FMNP, including development of the newCoastal Module. Annisa comes to us from theConservancy of SW Florida, where she was anaturalist and an FMNP Instructor. WelcomeAnnisa!

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Interested in becoming an FMNP Instructor?

FMNP Instructor Workshops are required for all new instructors and existing, certified instructors who want to teacha new module. There is no fee for attending Instructor Workshops, but prospective instructors must submit aninstructor application (available on the FMNP web site) and receive approval to attend. Instructor workshops are 2days long with an optional field trip on the second day. More information about Instructor benefits, qualifications,and responsibilities can be found at the Master Naturalist Website: www.MasterNaturalist.org under the"Information" link.

FMNP Freshwater WetlandsInstructor Training Workshops

Two Freshwater Wetlands Instructor Workshops willbe offered during 2002. The south Florida workshopwill primarily certify additional Instructors withinexisting programs. A north Florida workshop isplanned to certify new Instructor organizations.

Workshop Dates

South Florida Wetlands Instructor Workshop -Corkscrew Swamp, Aug. 28-29, 2002North Florida Wetlands Instructor Workshop -Apalachicola NERR, Nov.6-7, 2002

FMNP Coastal SystemsInstructor Training Workshops

Four Coastal Module Instructor Workshops areplanned for 2002. Please submit applications to attendthese workshops on the FMNP web site.

South Florida Coastal Instructor Workshop -FL Marine Lab Long Key, Sept. 26-27, 2002Southeast Florida Coastal Instructor Workshop -Env. Learning Ctr., Vero Beach, Oct. 2-3, 2002Central Florida Coastal Instructor Workshop -FMRI St. Petersburg, Oct. 16-17, 2002North Florida Coastal Instructor Workshop -FMRI Lab, Cedar Key, Oct. 24-25, 2002

There are three subspecies of (Elaphe obsoleta) rat snakes in Florida, these include theGray (NW Panhandle), Yellow, and the Everglades Rat Snakes (red-orange, 4 faint stripes).Florida's rat snakes are non-venomous constrictors that often prowl for prey at night by climbing trees or burrowingunderground. While rodents (rats) are the yellow rat snake's favorite meal, it has been reported to eat young chickens,and has been called "chicken snake." Carnivorous mammals and raptors are the snakes primary predators, particularlythe gray-colored juveniles. Large adults have few predators other than humans. Rat snakes are relatively slow movingand may remain stationary when threatened, which makes them particularly vulnerable to becoming roadkill. For moreinformation about Florida snakes, visit the "Online Guide of the Snakes of Florida":www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herps/fl-guide/onlineguide.htm.

Interpretive Tracks

FMNP presentations break wildlife and plants into separategroups to focus discussion on particular taxa. However, it isimportant to explore plant/animal and animal/animalrelationships, as these are critical to ecosystem function. Fieldtrips provide opportunities to enlist student participation toexplore these relationships.

Here is a suggested activity - prior to your next field trip,divide students into small groups and have them select acategory of plants or wildlife, such as birds, woody plants,reptiles, etc. Be as specific or broad as you like. Studentsshould prepare to discuss 2-3 components of their categoryduring the trip, and how these components interact withother plants/wildlife. For example, a group may describe abutterfly's life history, including host plants, predators, anddefense strategies. Have students keep their discussions short,which is good practice for leading nature walks.

Finally, ask students to provide you with short summaries ofthe information they've prepared - which you can use to yourbenefit and the benefit of future FMNP students.

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Water Hemlock (Cicuta mexicana)*

*This Common wetland plant is highly toxic and can be fatal:Look but don't touch!

©Drawing by Ann Murray, Center for Aquatic and InvasivePlants, University of Florida, Gainesville.

©Ph

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by G

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Wild Eye Watch on:

Yellow Rat Snake, Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata

Body: yellow with four dark stripes, 42-to 72"Characteristics: light belly with faint blotchesRange: throughout Florida, except EvergladesHabitat: upland forests, agricultural landsDiet: birds and eggs, frogs, small mammals

Current Course Offerings

Charlotte (January 27-February 8, 2003)Collier (November 11-November 22, 2002)Indian River (October 8-December 5, 2002)Lee (September 23-October 5, 2002)Lee (December 2-December 21, 2002)Lee (January 6-January 18, 2003)Pinellas (October 21-November 15, 2002)Seminole (September 19-October 17, 2002)

Class locations, schedules, and registrationinformation is available from the main FMNP Website:

www.masternaturalist.org

Click on "Course Offerings" for:Locations and time schedules. After you have chosenyour course, follow the prompts to register online.

Click on "Information" for:Thinking of becoming a Florida Master Naturalist?FMNP-Freshwater Wetlands Course Description

Instructor workshops for the Coastal SystemsModule will be offered in fall 2002.

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Advanced Training Opportunity for FMNPInstructors and Certified Graduates

Topic: Native Bromeliad/Orchid Identification andConservation ConcernsDate: September 21, 2002Location: Sarasota's Selby GardensTime: 10am-4pmCost: Free

REGISTRATION: E-MAIL (info@masternaturalist.org)or call Annisa Karim (941-658-3414)Space limited. Register by September 1, 2002Brought to you in conjunction with the Florida Council ofBromeliad Societies (http://fcbs.org) and UF/IFAS,Department of Entomology and Nematology(http://savebromeliads.ifas.ufl.edu)The workshop will provide an overview of theBromeliaceae and Orchidaceae plant families, with anemphasis on identification and natural history of Florida'snative bromeliads and orchids. Following discussion ofeach family, participants will have the opportunity toobserve specimens in the Selby Gardens collections.

FMNP Wetlands Module funding provided by:

-Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,Advisory Council on Environmental Education (ACEE)

-Southwest Florida Council on Environment Education, Inc.(SWFCEE)

FMNP Coastal Module funding provided by:

-Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida, IFAS

-Florida Marine Research Institute,Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

-Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute

Florida Master Naturalist Program

Director: Dr. Martin Main, Assistant Professor andWildlife EcologistCoordinator: Ginger AllenAssistant: Annisa Karim

Southwest Florida Research & Education Center2686 State Road 29 NorthImmokalee, FL 34142-9515Phone: 941-658-3400; Fax: 941-658-3469E-Mail: info@masternaturalist.orgWeb: www.MasterNaturalist.org

FMNP Newsletter Staff

Editor: Dr. Martin MainManaging Editor: Ginger AllenContributing Editor: Julie CarsonWeb Coordinator: Buddy Walker