National Master Naturalist Course Launches

A new, e-learning, homestudy course will teach you how to attract more wildlife to your property using the latest forest and wildlife management techniques. Upon completion, you will be a Certified National Master Naturalist.

[ClickPress, Tue Jan 09 2007] If you love to feed, photograph or observe wildlife and want to know more about them, you can do so with the new, advanced WindStar Wildlife Institute homestudy course.

Upon completion, individuals will become Certified National Master Naturalists.

“The overall mission of the program is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources, including wildlife and wildlife habitat, on their properties and within their communities,” says Tom Patrick, President.

“We want students to inventory the elements and components of their wildlife habitat, learn more about forest and wildlife management, decide what to add and create a plan for making it happen,” says Patrick. “They can then replicate this effort for others such as friends, relatives and neighbors.”

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 66 million people 16 years old and older—31 percent of all Americans—fed, photographed and observed wildlife in 2001 and spent $40 billion on these activities. Nearly 95 percent—63 million—enjoyed their activity around their homes.

Millions of people now live in urban and urbanized areas. Many of these residents and landowners are two to three generations removed from direct land management (farming, ranching or forestry) and they rarely seek traditional forms of outreach and extension prior to making their land management decisions.

“This course can help people develop their personal and professional environmental skills in order to creatively tackle natural resource challenges,” says Patrick. “And, they can do it at their own pace and times.”

The course is divided into two parts—The Woods In Your Backyard and the Wildlife In Your Backyard. Two of the DVD videos used in the course—“How Birds Eat” and “Insect Defense”—were created by Dr. Ron Goor, creator of the Smithsonian’s Insect Zoo, the first live insect zoo in the U.S.

Special sections are devoted to: Plants, Ornithology, Entomology, Herpetology, Mammalogy and Teaching Others About Nature. Individuals will learn how to manage your land, map it, and assess why you bought the land and what you hope to get out of it. Plus, subjects like tree identification, forest and wildlife management, water resources, best plants for wildlife, creating wildflower meadows, lists of native plant nurseries and contractors, recreation, aesthetic appeal and ways to improve each will be covered.

This is the second e-learning program offered by WindStar. The first certifies individuals as “Wildlife Habitat Naturalists.”

WindStar Wildlife Institute is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, conservation organization whose mission and solution to the loss of native plants and wildlife habitat focuses on effectively teaching wildlife habitat improvement practices through proven methods such as "neighbor helping neighbor" and "education through demonstration".

The Institute publishes two free periodicals-- “Wildlife Garden Weekly”, an e-Magazine and the “American Wildlife Blog.” An award-winning website provides a wealth of information for gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts.

Also, the Institute certifies residential, commercial and rural wildlife habitats in its American Wildlife Habitat Registry™ program. Institute headquarters is located in Myersville, MD in an earth-sheltered, passive solar structure with grass roof.

Individuals can obtain additional information on both e-learning courses and register for the courses by going to the website or calling 800-324-9044.

Bookmark this release: Del.icio.us - Digg - Furl - Blinklist - Reddit