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Registration Opens For Coastal Nature Courses

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

RUSKIN - Serious nature enthusiasts eager to learn more about the coastal environment can sign up for the granddad of all environmental courses - a segment of the Florida Master Naturalist Program.

Registration is now open for the coastal module of the program, and classes at Camp Bayou begin in April.

The Florida Master Naturalist program is an adult education extension program developed by the University of Florida and provided by community organizations like Camp Bayou, at the end of 24th Street East off College Avenue.

The program benefits people interested in learning more about Florida's environment, those seeking education contact hours or those who want to increase their knowledge for use in other educational programs.

"It's amazing where people will come from for these courses," said Camp Bayou Director Dolly Cummings, who will teach the module. "We had a lady come from Jacksonville two years ago. She drove all the way down every weekend to take the course.

"Some people just do it for personal enrichment, and some for ecotourism businesses," Cummings said. "You get out of it what you want out of it."

The program's mission is to promote awareness, understanding and respect for Florida's natural world.

For this segment of the program, Camp Bayou is teaming up with the Ruskin Community Development Foundation and the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department.

Cummings will teach the classes with assistant instructor Richard Sullivan, who manages the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve in Sun City.

"Mostly, on the field trip to Cockroach Bay, they will learn all about the restoration we've done here in different phases," said Sullivan, who will take the class canoeing through the mangroves. "They'll have a firsthand look at what we've done here, full blown restoration that's 13 years old and the braided tidal creek that is now four years old."

Classes are scheduled April 4, 5, 11, 19, 25 and 26. For a complete list of times, go to http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ fmnp/cs9-11.htm or call (813) 641-8545.

Cost for the course is $225, which includes an extensive binder of information, numerous PowerPoint presentations that can be shared and three field trips, Cummings said.

To register, go to www.masternaturalist.org. Registration closes March 29.

Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

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