Accomplishment Report

2004-2006

The Missouri Master Naturalist ProgramMission: to engage Missourians in the stewardship of the state’s natural resources through science-based education and community service

IntroductionThe need for an increased number of dedicated and well-informed volunteers and citizens is often cited as important for the success of community-based conservation efforts. One challenge facing Missouri communities in both rural and urban areas is sustaining the natural resource base and the quality of life those resources provide. The Missouri Master Naturalist program has been developed to address this need by developing a local corps of “master volunteers” to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources within their respective community.

The Missouri Master Naturalist program combines education and volunteer service at the community-level and empowers citizens to become more involved in natural resource management and education. Master Naturalist volunteers are trained and certified at the local level through their respective chapters and the local coordinating committee.

Partnerships The Missouri Master Naturalist program results from a partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Missouri Extension and the MU School of Natural Resources. MU Extension and Department of Conservation personnel provide leadership for developing a coordinating committee made up of partner organizations at the local level to conduct the volunteer education program. Ultimately, these committees work to develop local Master Naturalist chapters to provide outreach and volunteer service within a community.

Partnerships between chapters and local natural resource-minded organizations at the local level are an integral part of the program. These organizations may include other state and federal agencies, as well as private organizations whose interests are within the scope of the program. The results have been the development of a unique organization of master volunteers.

“Through the Master Naturalist volunteer program, you can help youth and adults in your community learn about Missouri’s natural resources and you can help local conservation partners implement a variety of educational projects that benefit the natural resource base in your area...”

1

Program Objectives 1. Improve public understanding of natural resource

ecology and management by developing a pool of local knowledge that can be used to enhance and expand educational efforts within local communities.

2. Enhance existing natural resources education and outreach activities by providing natural resources training at the local level, thereby developing a team of dedicated and informed volunteers.

3. Develop a self-sufficient Missouri Master Naturalist volunteer network.

An increasing number of communities and organizations across the state have relied on these skilled volunteers to implement natural resource educational programs for adults and youth audiences, for the expertise of these volunteers in implementing a variety of conservation projects and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts.

Becoming a Certified Master NaturalistTo become Certified Missouri Master Naturalists, participants must complete the following within 15 months (all of which is provided through local Master Naturalist chapters):

l The state committee-approved curriculum with a minimum of 40 hours of combined field and classroom instruction.l A minimum of 8 contact hours of chapter-approved advanced training in the subject of their choice.l A minimum of 40 hours of chapter-approved volunteer service.

The 40-hour course covers a wide variety of topics, including basic ecological concepts, Missouri’s ecoregions and ecosystems, wildlife population and natural community management, rural and urban conservation issues, plant and animal identification and much more. Special attention is focused on local ecosystems and field sessions are an important part of the training.

Volunteer service projects provide further educational opportunities, as well as benefiting a number of local agencies and organizations in the communities. Local partner organizations participate and support local chapters in a variety of ways, and in return receive the benefit of volunteer service. Once the volunteer has completed all the requirements they shall receive a state certificate, a name tag and a color dragonfly pin as a Certified Missouri Master Naturalist. To retain the title of Certified Missouri Master Naturalist each subsequent year, volunteers must complete a minimum of 8 hours of approved advanced training and provide a minimum of 40 hours of approved volunteer service.

“I want to share the diversity of natural habitats with children and adults so they can fully appreciate our natural resources and participate in future decisions about them with knowledge and a sense of the importance of place.”

“I received in-depth training in natural resource ecology and management from real experts!”

—In return, participants provide volunteer service in the form of educational activities, research projects, or ecosystem management for local partner organizations.

2

3

Program Accomplishments In 2004, the Missouri Master Naturalist program was piloted in West Plains and Columbia. Building on these experiences, it became a statewide “named and branded” educational program in 2005. Below are just a few of the programming highlights that have helped make this program a success.

l A combined MU Extension In-Service Education and Department of Conservation Academy for Leadership Excellence offering, entitled “Delivering the Missouri Master Naturalist Program,” was conducted for Extension regional specialists and MDC natural resource professionals interested in implementing the program in their region of the state.

l A Master Naturalist Program Manual was developed as a resource for chapter advisors (MU Extension and MDC). The manual provides information and guidelines for implementing and conducting a Master Naturalist program, from the “training” phase to the chapter development or “application” phase.

l The 1st Annual Missouri Master Naturalist Conference was conducted in 2006, with over 60 volunteers participating in advanced training and leadership development activities.

l A graduate research project was conducted to determine the impacts of the program and assess changes in volunteer knowledge and attitudes.

l A Master Naturalist resident intern position was filled with MDC to assist in the design and development of educational and supporting materials; these have included the development of a Chapter Officer Manual and Missouri Master Naturalist Chapter Chartering Guidelines, coordination of advanced training opportunities and the revision of the program’s training curriculum.

l A Master Naturalist program website (www.monaturalist.org) was created to provide resources for volunteers and general information about the program to the public.

l Missouri was host for the first National Training Workshop developed for state coordinators interested in implementing Master Naturalist programs in their respective states.

l In 2007, we celebrate our fourth year as a statewide program!

“So far, my most memorable experience as a Master Naturalist is looking into the eyes of those people who absolutely love sharing their expertise.”

“This project provided a good transition into volunteer work in the area of conservation. The experience provided an application for the naturalist training we received. It also provided an avenue to expand our knowledge in areas of interest.”

4

Program Impacts l Through December 2006, with combined

efforts of seven recognized local chapters, 325 participants have become trained natural resource volunteers through the Master Naturalist program.

l To date, the volunteers have continued their education, obtaining over 3,000 hours of advanced training.

l Over 100 volunteers have become Certified Missouri Master Naturalists.

l Over 11,500 hours of volunteer service have been donated to enhance the natural resource base within local communities.

l The economic impact of Missouri Master Naturalist volunteer service through 2006 is valued at $209,011.441.

l More than 25 organizations have partnered with Master Naturalist chapters to accomplish natural resource education efforts and service projects.

1 The value of volunteer service calculated using Independent Sector’s $18.04 per hour. The hourly value is based on the average hourly earnings for private nonagricultural workers as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure is then increased by 12 percent to estimate fringe benefits. http://www.independentsector.org

“The Master Naturalists have given our organization the benefit of accomplishing some tasks that would have perhaps been otherwise unachievable.”

“The work of the Master Naturalists has allowed the refuge to get an outreach and interpretive product to the public in a much more efficient manner. People are now well-informed about the refuge and the flora and fauna that exist here.”

5

Current Chapters and their Local Partners

1. Ozarks Chapter (West Plains)—Bryant Creek Watershed Project

2. Boone’s Lick Chapter (Columbia)—Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of Big Muddy, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Friends of Rock Bridge, Hinkson Watershed Restoration Project

3. Chert Glades Naturalists Chapter (Joplin)—Wildcat Glades Audubon and Conservation Center

4. Meramec Hills Chapter (Rolla)—Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, Rolla Audubon Center, Camp Brimshire

5. Confluence Chapter (St. Charles)—Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, Shaw Nature Reserve, St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department

6. Springfield Plateau Naturalists (Springfield)—Watershed Community of the Ozarks, Ozark Regional Land Trust, Greater Ozark Audubon Society

7. Osage Trails Chapter (Blue Springs)—Heartland Tree Alliance, Keep Kansas City Beautiful, Burrough’s Audubon Society, Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, Jackson Parks and Recreation, Kansas City Wildlands, Powell Gardens, Lincoln University Extension

6

Master Naturalist Chapter Activities at a Glance

Chapter(year established)

Volunteers Trained

Advanced Training Hours

Volunteer Service Hours

Ozarks(Spring 2004) 54 880 2800

Boone’s Lick(Fall 2004) 53 581 3336

Chert Glades Naturalists(Spring 2005) 25 461 1756

Meremec Hills(Spring 2005) 39 507 1754

Confluence(Fall 2005) 65 456 1344

Springfield Plateau Naturalists (Spring 2006) 28 124 586

Osage Trails(Fall 2006) 34 N/A N/A

Total 325 3,009 11,586

“The initial training created a need in me to find out more.”

“We are blessed to have a beautiful state, and we need to take care of it. Now I am a part of this process.”

7

A Spotlight on Chapter Projects Each chapter has worked on many notable projects in their community. Here is just a small sample of the differences the Missouri Master Naturalist chapters have made.

l The Ozarks Chapter has monthly clean-up work days and water quality monitoring of the North Fork River, in cooperation with the chapter sponsored Stream Team #2958.

l The Confluence Chapter has developed a rain garden at the Discovery Expedition’s Lewis and Clark Boathouse, created on a former construction dump site. It features native plants that Lewis and Clark might have seen in Missouri during their expedition. Educational resources have also been developed on the garden and for school programs conducted at the boathouse.

l The Meramec Hills Chapter has created a Braille nature trail for visually impaired campers at Camp Brim Shire, a non-profit camp that serves disabled and disadvantaged youth. In addition, the chapter hosted the first statewide Master Naturalist conference.

l The Boone’s Lick Chapter created a butterfly checklist for the Overton Bottoms Unit of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. During their butterfly census, they found Regal Fritillary outside of its documented range. The butterfly is a species of conservation concern in Missouri.

l The Chert Glades Naturalists Chapter supports the Wild Cat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center in Joplin. When the center is completed and opened, the chapter will provide the volunteer support for the facility. In the meantime, the chapter is conducting natural community restoration at Wildcat Park, where the center is being constructed.

l The Springfield Plateau Naturalists Chapter works with a variety of watershed groups to do water quality monitoring and education. Several members are conducting a lichen survey at the Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station.

l The Osage Trails Chapter in Kansas City just graduated their first class of 34 and are looking forward to many great projects in the coming year.

“Through my volunteer service, I’m educating the public to preserve Missouri’s natural resources.”

“I’m so excited that our community will have a place like this, and it has been great helping out.”

8

Preliminary Program Assessment Research ResultsMissouri Master Naturalists: Leading Through Community-Based Natural Resources VolunteerismCaroline Broun, Charles Nilon and Robert Pierce II, University of Missouri-Columbia; Ginny Wallace, Missouri Department of Conservation

During 2005, funding was obtained to conduct a research project to assess the impacts of the Missouri Master Naturalist program and to determine whether there is an improvement in volunteer knowledge of natural resource processes and issues after training. Surveys have been designed to identify volunteer’s motivations for participating in the Master Naturalist program and to determine if there is a relationship between volunteer’s motivations and any improvement in knowledge of natural resource processes and issues.

Eighty-five volunteers participated in the surveys. As a result of their Master Naturalist training and involvement, volunteers’ knowledge increased significantly and preliminary research shows that participants are retaining this knowledge over time. Analysis of the pre-training survey results and the post-training survey results demonstrate a significant improvement in volunteers’ knowledge of ecological processes and conservation issues in Missouri after completing the Missouri Master Naturalist training program. Volunteers maintained this level of knowledge six months after training, as demonstrated by analysis of the post-training survey results and the six-month follow-up survey.

Analysis of volunteers’ motivations for participating in the Master Naturalist program indicate that most volunteers identified values/altruism and knowledge as important motivations for participating, followed closely by a desire to learn. Analysis of the relationship between volunteer motivations for participating and improvement in knowledge scores indicate no significant relationship between any particular motivation and improvement in knowledge at the end of the Master Naturalist training program.

Vision for the Future Over the next few years MU Extension and MDC will continue to work with community volunteers and leaders in the development of new Master Naturalist chapters in various locations across the state. Expectations are that the program will continue to grow, with new volunteers becoming involved in the program each year. The Department of Conservation’s strategic plan, The Next Generation of Conservation, includes an objective to train 3,000 new Master Naturalists by the year 2015. To accomplish this goal we anticipate the development of three to five new chapters each year. Combined with the ongoing training offered within the existing chapters, we envision that over 350 new volunteers would potentially be trained annually. To find out how to develop a new Master Naturalist chapter in your area, visit www.monaturalist.org or contact the statewide program coordinators identified in this report.

The Master Naturalist program is national in scope. In fact, Missouri is one of over 27 states developing and implementing Master Naturalist type volunteer educational programs. The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP), was formed in 2006 to facilitate networking and resource development for member programs with the goal of establishing Master Naturalist-type educational programs in each of the 50 states. Additional information is available at the website: www.nralliance.org.

9

For More InformationVisit the program website: www.monaturalist.orgOr email general inquiries to: Master.Naturalist@mdc.mo.gov

Master Naturalist Program Coordinators:

Ginny WallaceState Program CoordinatorMissouri Department of ConservationP.O. Box 180Jefferson City, MO 65102Ginny.Wallace@mdc.mo.gov

Angela BeldenMaster Naturalist SpecialistMissouri Department of ConservationP.O. Box 180Jefferson City, MO 65102Angela.Belden@mdc.mo.gov

Robert A. Pierce II, Ph.D.Extension Wildlife SpecialistSchool of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Missouri302 ABNR Bldg.Columbia, MO 65211PierceR@missouri.edu