Altoona, Iowa (February 28, 2023) – Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Polk County will once again offer a spring session of the Master Conservationist Program in partnership with Polk County Conservation. The program will be offered every Monday beginning April 3 and runs through May 22, 2023. Through hands-on interaction the program teaches about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the diversity of conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices to lead, educate, and encourage others to improve conservation in Iowa.
“The goal of the Master Conservationist program is to create a pipeline of educated individuals that can serve as a go-to resource about local conservation,” said Stephanie Harrington, ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County natural resources coordinator. “By completing in the program, participants will have the knowledge to help improve Iowa’s natural resources for generations to come.”
The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and several in-person, in-the-field meetings. The in-person meetings complement the online lessons and are held at varying sites. Each face-to-face meeting is led by a local subject-matter expert to demonstrate how the principles covered in the online curriculum play out locally. Meetings will take place at the following locations throughout the course:
• Polk County Extension Office
• Jester Park Nature Center
• Fort Des Moines Park
• Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
• Easter Lake Park
• Thomas Mitchell Park
• Fourmile Community Recreation Center
The online modules include lessons and resources by ISU subject-matter experts to be reviewed at the participants’ own pace at home. Module topics include conservation history and science, understanding Iowa ecosystems, implementing conservation practices in human dominated landscapes and developing skills to help educate others about conservation practices.
Registration for the course is $95.00 and is due at the time of registration. Register online or contact Stephanie Harrington at sharring@iastate.edu .The deadline to register is March 20, 2023, or until course is full.
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