Master Conservationist program to be offered
Iowa State University Extension
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer the Iowa Master Conservationist program spring 2019 in Region 9, Jasper, Poweshiek, Marion and Mahaska Counties. The program will meet in various sites within the counties provide the participants with hands-on interaction with the diversity of the state’s natural resources.
The program teaches about Iowa’s natural ecosystems & the diversity of conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices for leading and education others to improve conservation in Iowa.
Master Conservationist are individuals who share an interest in the stability of Iowa’s natural resources, and in becoming better stewards of Iowa’s resources. This program alone will no make a person a “master”, but this course is a step in that journey.
The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and six in person meetings. The online modules will include lessons and resource by Iowa State subject matter experts to be reviewed at the participants own pace at home or at the ISU Extension and Outreach offices. Module topics include conservation history & science, understanding Iowa ecosystems, implementing conservation practices in human dominated landscapes & developing skills to help educated others about conservation practices.
In person meeting will build on the online sessions and be held 6-9 pm at various sites with Jasper, Poweshiek, Marion, and Mahaska Counties. The session dates and locations are:
May 16 Orientation, Red Rock Visitors Center
May 23 Ashton-Wildwood Park – Jasper County
May 30 Quercus Wilderness Area – Mahaska County
June 4 Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge
June 11 Lake Red Rock
June 18 Drake Community Library – Poweshiek County
June 27 Closing session, Environmental Learning Center – Mahaska County;
Each meeting will be led by local subject matter experts to demonstrate how the principles covered in the online curriculum & play out locally. Participants will work with program partners, who include Iowa DNR, Jasper, Poweshiek, Monroe & Mahaska Counties’ Conservation. NRCS, & ISU Extension and Outreach, along with educational experts in their fields.
Registration for the course is $60 per participant. Payment is due at the time of registration. There is limited registration. To register, contact Marion County Extension office; 210 N. Iowa Street; PO Box 409; Knoxville, IA 50138; phone 641- 842-2014; or email Lauren Petersen, lpeterse@iastate.edu. Deadline is May 6.
