The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education UF/IFAS Extension program developed by the University of Florida and provided by many extension offices and other nonprofit educational organizations around Florida.

The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors.

This mission is accomplished in part by FMNP Instructors, who teach students in the program about Florida's environment using science-based information and interpretive techniques that prepare students to share their knowledge with others.

This mission is also accomplished by FMNP graduates, who share their knowledge with others and foster principles of sustainability, connectivity, and biodiversity to assist others to understand and respect Florida's natural world as a community to which we all belong.

In essence, the FMNP teaches those who teach others.

FMNP Training

FMNP training will benefit anyone interested in learning more about Florida's environment or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in educational programs as volunteers, employees, ecotourism guides, and others.

There are three Core Module classes in the FMNP training program:

• Freshwater Systems
• Coastal Systems
• Upland Habitats

Each module consists of 40 contact hours of classroom learning, field trips, and practical experience. A group project is required.

​Each module attendee fee is $275 which includes a hard-copy Color course manual, or $230 attendee fee with PDF Color course manual provided on a USB drive.

The FMNP also offers four Special Topics classes:

• Conservation Science
• Environmental Interpretation
• Wildlife Monitoring
• Habitat Evaluation

Each of these classes provides 24 educational contact hours of classroom learning and either a field trip or a practical experience. Each Special Topic class is $155 and includes a course manual and, upon successful completion, an FMNP patch, pin and certificate denoting the topic and entry into the online graduate database of FMNP Special Topics. Students who complete these four classes are considered a Florida Master Naturalist Land Steward. Students who complete all seven courses (3 Core Modules and 4 Special Topics) are considered Advanced Florida Master Naturalists.

Upcoming FMNP Classes at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Collier County:

• Uplands Core Module March 12 - April 8, 2020 - cancelled due to suspension of operations due to Covid-19
• As responsible members of our communities, Audubon has cancelled all public programs provided by our nature centers, community naturalists, and other outreach staff through April 30th. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience this may cause, but it is far more important that we participate and encourage social distancing best practices and not be encouraging public gatherings. Please stay apprised of our latest updates and responses to the COVID-19 situation here on our website.

Registration for all FMNP classes:
Registration must be done through the University of Florida FMNP registration website.

Learn More

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is one of the participating organizations in the training of Florida Master Naturalists. Training sessions are offered at different times during the year.

For more information about the FMNP training sessions offered at Corkscrew, please contact Sally Stein, Director of Public Programs.

Learn more about the FMNP from the University of Florida FMNP website