Florida Master Naturalist Program

May's webinar from the Southeast Master Naturalist Continuing Education Series will be a phenomenal program on the Native Azaleas of the Southeast which will be presented by Charlie Andrews of the Azalia Society of America. If you have a fondness for this charismatic native plant, you'll want to tune in to this session at 12pm on May 29th.

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/OjCCRSTSRuG2RjU385nKWQ

Thank you to the SMNCES Team:

Dr. Wesley Anderson
Josie Davis
Shannon Henderson
Kevin Livingston
Mallory Maher
Dr. Martin Main
Daniel Price
Jacob Williams

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Southeaster Master Naturalist Continuing Education Series: Native Azaleas of the Southeast. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Southeaster Master Naturalist Continuing Education Series: Native Azaleas of the Southeast. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

🌞 This time last Friday, we were getting ready to kick-off a 'Cheers to 25 Years' event with FMNP grads, instructors, and downtown Ft. Pierce passers-by at Sailfish Brewing Company. Vibes were high, conversation was flowing, and connections were made! Thank you to everyone who donated to the FMNP at this event - and all events this year. 🙌

🌱 One thing about Nature? It brings people together. Our anniversary celebrations this year show the power of community and environmental education in action.

🍄 Stay tuned on FMNP socials this year for more events like this, FMNP course offerings, and other ways to stay involved.

Cheers to 25 Years of the Florida Master Naturalist Program !

Our Community Engagement Coordinators, Caleta Scott and Heather Stapleton, are pictured with creator, THE Dr. Marty Main.

Why’d he do it?

“He realized the great need for a professional development education program on Florida's natural history. "I believe that most people are genuinely interested and concerned about nature, and that as they learn more, their level of interest and concern increases. I was surprised, however, at the tremendous response to the FMNP, which I think is a very good indication that Floridians will work hard to ensure healthy environments, clean water, and diverse wildlife are available for future generations to enjoy."

🙌 Thanks to all Floridians who have taken courses AND to those who will!

🚨TOMORROW!! Join FMNP, local artists, nature organizations, and eco-minded folks to learn more about protecting the environments we love! 🌱 Event starts at 3, we'll be there til 6, and Marty will talk around 4:30. 😎 Attendance is free, and we'll be accepting donations for FMNP swag and raffle prizes! See you tomorrow in Ft. Pierce! 🥳

Congratulations to Barb Howard (pictured, left) - recipient of the 2026 Citizen Conservation Award from Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society, The Wildlife Society! 🌟🐦

Read a blurb from TWS here: https://tinyurl.com/msh2bjya to learn more about Barb's work as a Florida Master Naturalist and tireless leader in conservation across the Tampa Bay area. 🌊🦋

🌊 Our final post of Earth Week moves us down the East coast to Fort Pierce and our Central East regional Friends Group!

📣 Join us in Fort Pierce at Sailfish Brewing Company on Friday, May 15th for a day full of celebration. Like our kickoff event in Gainesville back in January, this event offers tabling displays & prizes from partner orgs, a presentation by Marty Main, and opportunities for you to support the FMNP!

💫 More information to come soon - in the meantime, be sure to mark off Friday afternoon, May 15th and get ready to celebrate!

🌟 Closing out Earth Week, let's look forward to some regional events to say, 'Cheers to 25 Years!'

🌸 First up, 'Blooms and Brews' - an event on May 9th in NE Florida. We will take a guided tour through several of the gardens on the University of North Florida campus. After the tour, our group will head to Wicked Barley Brewing and raise a toast to celebrate 25 years of the Master Naturalist Program!

🔗 Details & RSVP here: https://northeastfmnp.org/blooms-and-brews. If you are interested in hearing about more alumni events in the NE region, be sure to visit NortheastFMNP.org and join the chapter email list.

🌎IT'S EARTH DAY! 🌍 In our opinion, there is no better way to celebrate than to join the charge to strengthen the conservation ethic of Florida with FMNP. 🌴

☀️ But don't just take our word for it! Last year, Streaming Science produced a "Nurturing Nature" video interview series with FMNP graduates to highlight the great work being done across the state after the course ends.

🌼Today, we want to bring attention back to these stories. View the YouTube playlist here: https://tinyurl.com/bdh3snek and connect more with conservation advocates across Florida!

Read below for video summaries, and consider registering for a May FMNP course to deepen your connections to like-minded people and the land. 🌊🩵

💫 Ashley Cook explains how the FMNP's hands‑on, community‑based learning inspired her to create the “Animal Neighbors” project, which helps people better understand and coexist with wildlife affected by development and habitat loss.

💫 Autumn Kioti Horne shares how FMNP gave her a judgment‑free, hands‑on learning experience that helped adults reconnect with curiosity, have fun getting messy, and confidently learn something new at any stage of life.

💫 Randa Robinson Anderson reflects on how the FMNP deepened her lifelong love of nature after retirement and helped her better understand Florida’s habitats and wildlife, which she now enjoys through daily walks, travel, photography, and sharing that legacy with her family.

💫 Roger Fulton describes how the FMNP empowered him to share his love of the outdoors by leading hikes, writing trail and safety guides, and helping others appreciate Florida’s diverse and quiet natural spaces.

💫 Susan Snyder, retired science teacher, explains how FMNP helped her rediscover her passion for entomology, engage the public through detailed insect research and outreach, and promote informed community involvement in conservation and responsible development.

💫 Scott Shackleton shares how taking a Coastal Systems helped him better understand and advocate for the Mosquito Lagoon, inspiring him to create an easy‑to‑use paddle route that encourages others to explore and protect the area.

Explore Florida’s Uplands this Fall!

Join naturalists Jessica Paarlberg and Christina Nelson for the Upland Systems course in Nassau County from October 13–November 17! Through classroom sessions and immersive field trips you’ll gain hands-on experience exploring Florida’s diverse upland habitats.

💬 One student who took Jessica’s Coastal Systems course earlier this year raved:

“This was really a great course - great location, very good and enthusiastic instructors, and really great guest speakers and field trips that were quite relevant and informative for our class.”

Don’t miss your chance to learn from passionate educators and connect with Florida’s natural world this fall!

🔗 Register here: https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/us25-11inperson.php