Well, I just completed my first module of the Florida Master Naturalist Program, and I am proud to announce I am now a Florida Freshwater Wetlands Master Naturalist. Wow, what a mouth full, and what a program!

Before I get into my review of the wetlands module, I would like to tell you a little about the program. To become a Florida Master Naturalist with no caveat you must complete all 3 modules: Freshwater Wetlands, Coastal Systems and Upland Habitats. The FMNP is the brainchild of Dr. Marty Main of the University of Florida.

The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education extension program developed by the University of Florida and provided by the Cooperative Extension Service and other partner organizations. FMNP training increases knowledge about Florida ecosystem processes, plants and wildlife, and conservation and management issues. The FMNP benefits persons seeking to obtain educational contact hours or wishing to increase interpretive skills for use in educational programs as volunteers, employees, and ecotourism guides.

The only requirements to take the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) are enthusiasm and interest. (And of course the $200 fee)

Now a little about the Freshwater module. At our first class, the instructors introduced themselves, gave us a pre-test to gauge our current knowledge (don’t worry they won’t announce the scores) and handed us our 663-page student workbook. The workbook alone was worth the price of admission! Little time was wasted, we were off and learning about our precious resources, the wetlands of Florida.

Here are just a few of the topics we covered, and remember these are all freshwater habitats and biota I am talking about. We covered marshes, swamps, wet prairies, permanent wetlands (rivers, lakes and springs) and seepage slopes to name the most common wetlands. We covered birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and microorganisms. Also covered were common plant types and plant communities found in or near these wetlands. It was explained to us, that through resource portioning, all of these different plants and animals can live together, in most cases with minimal competition for the available recourses (food, water, sun, shade, etc.). Another important part of the program that we covered was interpretation. This program not only teaches you, but also helps you teach others about the importance of enjoying and preserving Florida’s wetlands.

I took the FWMP in Palm Beach County. UF/IFAS and PalmNet hosted the program at the Palm Beach County Water Dept., just ¼ mile from Wakodahatchee Wetlands. So our first field trip was to the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, a man made wetland run by the Palm Beach County Water Dept. We walked the ½ mile boardwalk as our instructors pointed out the different flora and fauna and explained why wetlands are so important to our future and us.

Our instructors, Steve, Kay and Brenda all did an outstanding job. Steve really helped us hone our interpretive skills, while Kay and Brenda kept us on time, on schedule, and on target. From the beginning of our first field trip I new this program was going to be a success. A healthy mix of knowledge and enthusiasm made for a very enjoyable learning experience.

Book learning is great; but, nothing compares, in my opinion, to field work! That is the reason I took the course in Palm Beach County while I live on the other coast in the Tampa Bay area. It meant a 3.5-hour drive one-way to attend each class. But what better place to do field work on Freshwater Wetlands than in the county where the Everglades begin!

I highly recommend the Freshwater Wetlands course. What I have described here is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of experiences I enjoyed.

Next up for me: Coastal systems. Hope to see you there!