Master Naturalist

Missouri Master Naturalist Training Summer/Fall 2010
Confluence and Great Rivers Chapters

Sponsored by:
University of Missouri Extension (MU Extension)
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)

Session 1 - joint
Tue., Jul 20
3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Powder Valley		 Introduction and Orientation to the Missouri Master Naturalist program. What will happen during the 12 weeks of training. Specialist from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the University of Missouri Extension.
Session 2 - joint
Tue., Jul 27
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Powder Valley		 Basic Ecological Concepts - Ecological concepts such as succession, limiting factors, carrying capacity, biodiversity, habitat vs. niche, exotic/invasive species, preservation, restoration and management. Discussion of Missouri’s Land Type Areas. Sam Faith and Tim Nigh, Missouri Department of Conservation.
Session 3 - split
Tue., Aug 3
select a location Powder Valley or Busch		 The Role of Naturalists and Naturalist Skills - Conservation biology is a relatively new discipline, but naturalists have been around quite some time. This session involves profiles of a few naturalists, a walk-through dichotomous key and a Naturalist’s quiz. Specialist from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the University of Missouri Extension.
Session 4 - joint
Tue., Aug 10
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Busch		 Soils of Missouri - Factors of soil formation and soil genesis; basic principles of soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties; relationship between landscape, native plants/trees, and the resulting soil type; county soil surveys and their uses; Soil testing and interpretation. Scott Killpack and Matt Herring, MU Extension.
Session 5 - joint
Sat., Aug 14
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.		 Prairie/Glade Ecosystems – Overview of these diverse natural communities, their characteristics, associated species, and techniques for maintaining and restoring. John Bher and James Trager, Shaw Nature Reserve.
Session 6 - joint
Tue., Aug 17
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Rockwoods		 Cave and Karst - Cave systems, related restoration efforts and a cave crawl. Bill Elliott, MDC.

Map and Compass - Reading topo maps and compass. Kevin McCarthy, MDC.
Session 7 - joint
Tue., Aug. 24
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Powder Valley		 Wetland/Stream/River Ecosystems - Basics of stream function, how the parts of a watershed interact with each other, how these interactions affect the physical and biologic integrity of the stream ecosystem, the nature of wetlands and their importance in overall ecosystems. Sarah Kluesner, MDC.
Session 8 - joint
Sat., Aug. 28
Shaw		 River Float
Session 9 - joint
Tue., Aug 31
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Quail Ridge Park		 Forest Ecosystems - Discussion of forests of North America with a focus on Missouri forest ecosystems and factors that affect their composition. Majority of class time will be spent in the field.
Session 10 - joint
Tue., Sep. 7
3:30 p.m. to dark		 Forest Management and Woody Plant ID - Field tour of the Weldon Spring management area and discussion of forest management practices Mark Gruber, MDC.
Session 11 - joint
Sat. Sep. 11 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Columbia Bottom		 Columbia Bottom and Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary - Tour and discussion of wildlife management practices on a multi-use Conservation Area as well as a birding expedition on a federal sanctuary. Areas are located in or near the Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Session 12 - joint
Tue., Sep 14
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Powder Valley		 Missouri Wildlife – Trainees use their knowledge base and field guides to practice and hone identification skills on a wide range of animal artifacts. Kevin McCarthy and Colleen Scott, MDC.
Session 13 - joint
Tue., Sep 21
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Busch		 Wildlife pubs – regulation/use/management
Session 14 - joint
Tue., Sep 28.
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Powder Valley		 Urban Ecosystems Discussion of natural resource issues related to urban development including community forestry, urban sprawl, storm water management, low-impact development, and native landscaping: Charlie Nilon, MU School of Natural Resources and Wildlife Populations Managing urban populations in and around small green spaces, its challenges and techniques. Jen Porcelli, The Green Center.
Session 15 - joint
Tue., Oct. 5
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Powder Valley		 Review, Wrap up, Graduation - Area chapters welcome new members, panel discussion by selected instructors and partners, short ceremony, and pot luck dinner.

For More Information Contact:


University of Missouri Extension
314-615-7610


Missouri Department of Conservation
314-877-6014

Classroom Locations

August A. Busch Wildlife Area
2360 Hwy D
St. Charles, MO 63304
636-441-4554
http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/busch/
Rockwoods Reservation
2751 Glencoe Rd.
Wildwoods, MO 63038
636-458-2236
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
801 Strodtman Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63138
314-877-6014
http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/areas/bottom/
Shaw Nature Reserve
Hwy 100 & I-44
Gray Summit, MO 63039
636-451-3512
http://www.shawnature.org/
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
11715 Cragwold Rd.
Kirkwood, MO 63122
314-301-1500
http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/powder/
The Green Center
8025 Blackberry Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63130
314-725-8314
http://www.thegreencenter.org/
Quail Ridge Park
5501 Quail Ridge Pkwy.
Wentzville, MO 63385
http://parks.sccmo.org/parks/index.php
University of Missouri Extension
260 Brown Rd.
Saint Peters, MO 63376
636-970-3000
http://extension.missouri.edu/stcharles/
Ladue High School
1201 S. Watson Rd
St. Louis, MO 633124
http://www.ladue.k12.mo.us/district/aboutus/directions/lhwh_alt.html
Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary
301 Riverlands Way
West Alton, MO 63386
http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/rivers/RMBS.html