Springville, Tenn.: Paris Landing State Park and Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge today announced that registration is now open for the next Tennessee Naturalist Program course. Classes will begin October 1st meeting mostly once a month until June, 2023. This makes the widely recognized Naturalist Course available to area residents who wish to study nature during all four seasons. Paris Landing and Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge are a one of eleven Chapters of the Tennessee Naturalist Program located throughout the state.
” Participating in the Tennessee Naturalist Program exceeded our expectations for learning about Tennessee’s natural resources and opportunities to become involved in the stewardship of our local parks and refuges. The classroom and field activities were both enlightening and enjoyable. The instructors were knowledgeable and inspiring” said recent graduate of the program Laurie Gilbert.
“Covid isolation, semi-retirement, and caring for my elderly parents had left me in a state of boredom, negative, without a purpose, and “in a rut” explained graduate Tammy Carter. “The Tennessee Naturalist Program changed all that. Our classes were often the most positive thing in my week. I met a lot of new, interesting people; I went places I typically would not have chosen or didn’t know about; I did fun things like hikes with school field trips and Earth Camp, and the list goes on and on. Most of all, I found a new direction for my life that includes a deeper understanding of nature, recycling, and how rewarding life is when you get yourself “out of a rut.”
The course includes 40 hours of instruction and 40 hours of volunteer service in natural resources. Professionals that use the state park and refuge as an outdoor classroom teach the classes. Some classes are also taught at Land Between the Lakes and Hancock Biological Station. Class topics include: Birds, Mammals, Amphibians/Reptiles, Insects/Invertebrates, Forests, Plants/Fungi, Geology, Aquatic Species, Nocturnal Species, and Astronomy.
The Tennessee Naturalist Program (TNP) is a 501c3 educational training course designed to introduce the natural history of Tennessee to interested adults. Graduates join a corps of Tennessee Naturalist volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the appreciation, understanding, and beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Classes are hosted by area Tennessee Naturalist Program Chapters and taught by experts in their fields.
The mission of the program is to teach Tennesseans about their natural world, inspire the desire to learn more, instill an appreciation of responsible environmental stewardship, and channel volunteer efforts toward education of the general public and conservation of Tennessee’s natural resources.
For a course schedule or more information on registering for the TN Naturalist Program, visit
https://tnnaturalist.org/
Photo: Students at the Paris Landing Naturalist course in October 2021.