Et cetera : Master Conservationist Program offered in Independence

The hands-on course connects participants with Iowa’s rich natural resources

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer the Iowa Master Conservationist Program beginning Monday, March 23 at Heartland Acres in Independence. Landowners, farmers, community leaders, gardeners, and anyone interested in Iowa’s natural resources are welcome to participate.

The Master Conservationist Program (MCP) is a collaborative program offered by ISU Extension and Outreach in Buchanan and Benton counties, Buchanan and Benton County Conservation Boards, and local conservation leaders and professionals. The intensive blended online and in-person curriculum is developed to equip Iowans interested in natural resource conservation with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about natural resources and to become local leaders and educators.

The MCP provides hands-on learning experiences focused on Iowa’s diverse natural resources. Participants will learn about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and various conservation challenges and opportunities that exist in the region. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices for leading and educating others to improve conservation in Iowa.

More than 800 Iowans have successfully completed the program, enhancing conservation on thousands of acres of Iowa land. Adam Janke, Extension wildlife specialist with ISU, said the program encourages building local conservation leaders.

“We need people out there talking to their friends and neighbors about what conservation is, what it takes, and why everybody needs to be involved,” he said. “This curriculum brings people together in nature, in the classroom, to learn and build skills that they can use in conversations with friends and neighbors.”

The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and six face-to-face meetings. The online modules will include lessons and resources developed by Iowa State University subject-matter experts, which participants can review at their own pace from home or at their ISU Extension and Outreach County office.

The six face-to-face meetings will build on the online lessons and be held throughout Buchanan and Benton counties on various Monday evenings and Saturdays from March 23rd through graduation on May 11th. Module 1 sets the stage for the course, exploring the history and current structure of conservation in Iowa and also exploring the landforms and waterways that make up the state's land area. Module 2 digs deep into the structure, function, and challenges facing Iowa's natural prairie, forest, and aquatic ecosystems. Module 3 explores the wide range of conservation practices developed and implemented to address conservation challenges in Iowa. Module 4 examines human elements of conservation and how to communicate the importance of conservation to Iowa and Iowans. Meetings will be led by local conservation professionals to demonstrate how the principles covered in the online curriculum apply to the local landscape.

The registration cost for the course is $50 and is due at the time of registration. For more information about the MCP, contact Buchanan County Conservation at 319-636-2617 or the ISU Extension and Outreach Buchanan County office at 319-334-7161.

To register use the link below. The registration deadline is March 16th. https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Buchanan/Park/FontanaPark/Events/28056/Master-Conservationist.

Related Websites:

https://www.nrem.iastate.edu/wildlife/master-conservationist-program https://www.nrem.iastate.edu/wildlife/