The Florida Youth Naturalist Program (FYNP) is a new program that launched in February 2022 through the collaboration and support of UF IFAS Extension, the Florida Master Naturalist Program, Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, and Florida Sea Grant to provide youth with place-based environmental education opportunities. It was inspired by the Florida Master Naturalist Program, an adult education program providing training to individuals wanting to learn more about Florida’s ecosystems for either personal or professional use. Our program leaders adapted this concept to instead be geared towards children who also have an interest in the environment and conservation. We provide the necessary tools, resources, and support to instructors to successfully lead this course anywhere in the state and engage kids with important environmental concepts.
The field guide was authored by experts in both positive youth developement and conservation of natural rsources in Florida. Sarah Hensley, UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Curriculum and Evaluation State Specialized Agent, worked in close partnership with Shelly Johnson, UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension State Specialized Agent, and with the assistance of Megan Ellis, UF/IFAS Extension Program Assistant (now employed with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), to develop and pilot the curriculum content.
This program was established by receiving input from experts and partners across Florida to assess its needs and determine its direction. Our creators and partners developed a program philosophy that aims to focus on ecology and conservation ethics and positive youth development. The FYNP is still growing, therefore you should expect to see development in the near future in the form of website updates, a Teams page, endorsed instructor directories, blogs, and more!
UF/IFAS Extension partners with communities to provide quality, relevant education and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal, state, and county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life.
Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. The University of Florida (UF), together with Florida A&M University (FAMU), administers the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education program developed by the University of Florida and provided by participating organizations. FMNP training will benefit any persons interested in learning more about Florida’s environment, seeking educational contact hours, or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, ecotourism guides, and others.
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. FMNP Instructors teach participants about Florida's environment using science-based information and interpretive techniques that prepare participants to share their knowledge with others. In turn, FMNP graduates share their knowledge 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.
The Florida 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach and caring adults to help youth gain the knowledge and life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens. This mission is accomplished by creating safe and inclusive learning environments, involving caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of the University of Florida and the nationwide land grant university system.
Florida Sea Grant is a university-based program that supports research, education and extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Florida. We are a partnership between the Florida Board of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Florida’s citizens and governments. Our extension, education and outreach programs are done in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension and coastal counties of Florida.
We tap into the research expertise of more than 800 coastal and ocean scientists at the state’s 16 major universities and research laboratories, and we are an integral part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. Florida Sea Grant envisions a future where people use our coastal and marine resources in ways that capture the economic and social benefits they offer, while preserving their quality and abundance for future generations. Our mission is to support integrated research, education and extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Florida.
“This is a critical age to expose youth to environmental appreciation and developing an understanding of the natural world. We want youth to understand and appreciate nature to ingrain a conservation ethic in them. Then, they grow up to be adults that care about Florida’s natural resources.”
- Sarah Hensley, UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Curriculum and Evaluation State Specialized Agent
"If a child is to keep alive their inborn sense of wonder, they need the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with them the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in."
- Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder
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