Next Course: February-March 2026
Online coursework: February 25 - March 18, 2026
Live virtual welcome session (via Zoom): February 26 (2:30-3:30 or 3:45-4:45 PM ET)
In-person workshop days (2 options): March 23-24 or March 25-26, 2026
LINK to registration pages: will be here once registration opens
- REGULAR registration is February 11, 2026 at 10am ET.
- EARLY registration is only available for previous NATA graduates*. You must email the NATA Training Coordinator by February 3, 2026 to request early registration access, access will expire the day before early registration opens.
- Registration will close when capacity is reached or by February 20, 2026; we expect course will fill to capacity quickly!
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Course Description
This is a NATA Core workshop, leading to the Certificate in Natural Areas Management. This training builds understanding of management and restoration approaches for conserving biodiversity.
Participants will:
- Identify factors responsible for Florida's high biodiversity
- Discover sources of information on biodiversity in Florida
- Understand threats to biodiversity and strategies that can be used to abate these threats
- Become aware of biodiversity protection laws and how environmental laws are enforced
- Learn about the role of restoration in maintaining biodiversity over the long term
- Compare ways to control invasive and non-native plant/animal species that threaten FL biodiversity
- Develop a monitoring plan that assesses trends in biodiversity over time
Online coursework:
Approximately 10 hours across 3-weeks (on your own, with weekly assignment deadlines); reliable internet connection and computer required.
Attend 1-hour live virtual session (via Zoom), during the first week of the online coursework.
In-person training:
Two days of in-person training at Morningside Nature Center and Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve, east of downtown Gainesville, FL.
Draft of agenda: NATA MFD Agenda and Checklist 2026
Registration Information:
$335 (does not include lodging)
- You must pay with a CREDIT CARD online at the time of registration on the Eventbrite website. The confirmation email from Eventbrite is your receipt.
- NO REFUNDS will be offered after registration closes.
- NO CREDITS will be issued for those who do not complete the course.
- Eventbrite processing fees are NONREFUNDABLE, meaning that if you need a refund, you will receive a partial refund, minus the Eventbrite processing fees. For more information, visit Eventbrite's policy .
*EARLY registration is available to any person who has graduated from one or more of the NATA core courses. Fire training (e.g., S130/190) is not considered a core course for early registration eligibility. You must email the NATA Training Coordinator by February 3 to request early registration access. Early access expires the day before regular registration begins.
Lodging:
Participants are responsible for securing their own lodging. When selecting lodging, note that workshop locations are located 10-15 minutes drive east of downtown Gainesville. For convenience, we recommend a hotel near downtown/central Gainesville, rather than near I-75/Archer Rd. On SW 13th Street (just south of SW 16th Ave) there are several convenient and budget friendly hotels with free parking (Home2 Suites, Travelodge, Quality Inn, Value Lodge, University Inn, and Comfort Suites).
For more information, contact:
Training Coordinator
Natural Areas Training Academy
