Curriculum (general objectives and topics, types of instructors, and planned time frame)
Each Chapter determines the training schedule and invites local subject matter experts (MDC, Forest Service, University, etc.) to teach a portion of the course. All schedules & syllabuses are reviewe and approved in advance by the state coordinators to ensure all learning objectives are addressed. Each course is expected to address the following learning objectives: 1.Roles, responsibilities, and benefits of being a Missouri Master Naturalist: Trainees should understand the purpose and mission of the program – and they should commit to participate as a volunteer. This should be briefly discussed during the first meeting of the class; the mission of the program should be continually reinforced throughout subsequent training sessions. It shall also be the responsibility of the chapter training coordinators or other appropriate chapter representatives to inform and enforce appropriate Chapter Management Guidelines to the new Missouri Master Naturalist trainees of each class. 2.Historical perspectives of naturalists in Missouri and elsewhere: Naturalists were frontiersmen, pioneers, observers, interpreters and teachers. They were important in the history of our state. Master Naturalist training should include programs designed to create an appreciation for the role that these early naturalists played in Missouri and US history. Because many of the early naturalists kept accurate records of what they observed, this study can provide an interesting way for people to realize the changes in our landscapes over time. Also, studying those early "master naturalists" creates a sense of appreciation that goes along with the title of Missouri Master Naturalist. 3.Traditional disciplines of a naturalist: The original naturalists were botanists, entomologists, ornithologists, mammalogists, herpetologists, paleontologists and geologists. Professionals within these disciplines are available at universities, nature centers & research centers. These natural scientists are generally eager to share their disciplines and may be excellent teachers. An effective way to incorporate these disciplines into training sessions is in a field trip situation. Inviting natural scientists along as "Master Naturalist faculty" on field sessions is an effective way for Master Naturalists to be exposed to these disciplines first hand. Many of those enrolled in Master Naturalist training may also have some formal training in these disciplines. 4.Ecological concepts: Ecological concepts may be discussed in a classroom situation, but when combined with case studies and/or field demonstrations, these concepts take on more relevant meaning. Missouri Master Naturalists should come away from their training sessions with an accurate baseline understanding of what is meant by some of the ecological concepts & ideas that need to be understood in order to manage natural resources. These include the functional definitions of ecosystems, landscapes, communities, species assemblages & populations. T
