The Allen County Parks Department and the Fox Island Alliance will be official sponsors of the 2012 Indiana Master Naturalist Program.  It will be the Parks Department's first year as a sponsor.

This extremely popular learning opportunity brings together natural resource specialists with adult learners to foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, water, soils, and wildlife and promote volunteer service in local communities.

To become a certified Indiana Master Naturalist, participants must pay a registration fee, attend an orientation session, attend at least eight of the nine class sessions, and volunteer an equal number of hours to help educate the community about nature, and help promote, plan, maintain and install natural areas.

Orientation is March 13 and the classes run through May 15 on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Everyone associated with the program is a volunteer. The class is limited to 30 members. This will be the 8th year for the program.

Applications may be picked up at Fox Island and Metea County Parks Nature Centers. Applications may be downloaded on the Allen County Parks website at www.allencountyparks.org and the Fox Island Alliance website, Events page, at www.foxislandalliance.org.  Advance registration is due by March 5.