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Florida Youth Naturalist Program

Florida Youth Naturalist Program

Florida Youth Naturalist Program:
About Us

Our History

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.

belted kingfisher

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!

Funding and Support from:

“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

 

Acknowledgements

Program Development Guidance:

  • Michael Gutter, Associate Dean for Extension, 4-H Youth Development
  • Martin Main, Professor, Dept. of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Brian Myers, Professor and Chair, Dept of Agricultural Education and Communication

Field Guide Authors:

  • Sarah Hensley, UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Curriculum and Evaluation State Specialized Agent
  • Shelly Johnson, UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension State Specialized Agent
  • Megan Ellis, UF/IFAS Extension Program Assistant (now employed with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Field Guide Reviewers:

  • Cindy Bear, Programs and Services Coordinator, UF Randell Research Center
  • Katherine Clements, Natural Resource Educator, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
  • Maia McGuire, Associate Program Leader, UF/IFAS natural resources and Florida Sea Grant Extension
  • Tish Roland, 4-H Youth Development Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Collier County

Field Guide Illustrators:

  • Megan Ellis
  • Belle LaMontagne
  • Shannon Alexander

Website Design and Development:

  • Shannon Salvatori

flower background with text reading
an aerial image of wetlands and streams with overlying text reading
springs background with text reading
an alligator with text reading