BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION
NEWS RELEASE
Parks and Recreation Division ▪ 950 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park, FL 33309
Phone: 954-357-8100 ▪ Fax: 954-561-5359 ▪ www.broward.org/parks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 22, 2012
From: Michael Mills
Phone: 954-357-8115
E-mail: mmills@broward.org
Registration Open for Master Naturalist Specialized Courses
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division’s Extension Education Section, in partnership
with the nongovernmental organization Tanawhá Presents, announces the first two offerings of
Florida Master Naturalist Specialized Short Courses. The courses, each consisting of 24
contact hours, are designed to train avid natural history enthusiasts, natural resource
volunteers, and professional land managers. There are no prerequisites. The courses are not
offered anywhere else in the State of Florida.
The first course, “Environmental Interpretation,” comprises four evening sessions and one
Saturday, July 24-28, at Plantation Heritage Park (1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation). This
course includes intensive training in the areas of maximizing interpretation structure and acuity
to enhance audience experience and information retention; effective and enjoyable virtual and
physical public tours; and rewarding virtual and hands-on interpretive activities, displays, and
demonstrations.
The second course, “Conservation Science,” meets four evenings and one Saturday, August
14-18, at Broward County Extension (3245 College Ave., Davie). The course covers sections
on biological diversity, ecosystem integrity, and conservation strategies for sustainable
ecosystems, with an additional, original section on global red-listing of endangered and
threatened species, the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the CITES treaty, conservation issues
from in-situ, inter-situ, and ex-situ efforts at all geographic scales and their local relevance.
The course instructor, Kristen Hoss of Tanawhá Presents environmental education firm, has
more than 25 years of experience in the management of natural areas and wildlife. The coinstructor is Dr. John Pipoly from Extension, who is a world-recognized expert in plant
conservation biology, having written 120 original research publications in his 34-year career
and co-authored the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Plant Conservation.
Registration for these courses is $150 and is payable only through a secure University of
Florida-IFAS-Florida Master Naturalist Program Website, www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu,
where you will follow the links “Current Course Offerings,” then choose “Environmental
Interpretation Courses,” then “Broward” and/or “Conservation Science,” then “Broward” to bring
up the course and its instructors and venues and a link to a secure serve to register and pay
online. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and closes on July 18 for
“Environmental Interpretation” and on August 8 for “Conservation Science.” For further
information, contact Kristen Hoss at kristenhoss@yahoo.com or John Pipoly at
jpipoly@broward.org, or call Extension at 954-357-5270.
Founded in February 1956 and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies,
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division manages nearly 6,500 acres, encompassing 19 regional parks
and nature centers, six neighborhood parks, and 21 natural areas at various stages of development. Facilities
include water parks, campgrounds, a target range, a stadium, a skate park, an observatory, mountain bike trails,
an educational farm with stables, and a velodrome and other sports facilities. Hours and fees vary by location. For
more information, visit www.broward.org/parks.
Find Yourself – At a Broward County Park
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Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in County
programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at 954-3578170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event
to request an accommodation.