2008 Classes Completed!
The Utah Master Naturalist Program offered the Aquatic and Wetland Systems module at three locations this past spring. We greatly appreciate the hard work that Utah's Hogle Zoo, The Living Planet Aquarium, and Southern Utah University put into preparing and teaching the Utah Master Naturalist Program!
There are three 40-hour systems-based modules under development:
Utah Watersheds
From high alpine lakes and streams to the Great Salt Lake and unique temporary wetlands of the arid desert, Utah has a vast diversity of aquatic systems that interact with each other throughout, and across, watersheds. This module started in 2007 and will be taught every year thereafter.
Utah Deserts (starting Spring 2009)
While many of the upland systems in Utah, such as the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert, vary in plant and animals communities, they all share common features- low precipitation resulting in arid or semi-arid deserts, relatively high elevation, and climatic extremes including hot summers and/or cold winters. As a result, the plants and animals of these areas possess extreme adaptations for survival. The first offering of this module in spring 2009 will include a multi-day trip to southern Utah.
Utah Mountains (starting Summer 2010)
Some of the greatest ecological diversity and scenic beauty in Utah exists in the forest and alpine environments. Throughout these systems, temperature, elevation, and precipitation play an important role in defining plant and animal communities and their interactions.
Program Format
Each Utah Master Naturalist Program module will consist of 40 hours of instruction, 40-50% of which is spent in the field. Classroom and field activities will include instructor presentations, guest presentations on relevant resource issues, small group presentations, final project presentations, take-home assignments, and open discussions. There are no requirements for registering to become a Utah Master Naturalist, except for the registration fee of $200 ($150 for full-time students).
For more information, or if you are interested in participating, please contact Mark Larese-Casanova at 435-797-8060 or marklc@usu.edu