Next Course: April-May 2026
Online coursework: April 22 - May 13, 2026
Live virtual welcome session (via Zoom): Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 3:30-4:30pm ET.
In-person workshop days (2 options): May 18-19 or May 20-21, 2026
LINK to registration pages: May 18-19 or May 20-21
- REGULAR registration is April 8, 2026 at 10am ET.
- EARLY registration is only available for previous NATA graduates*. You must email the NATA Training Coordinator by March 31, 2026 to request early registration access. Access will expire the day before regular registration opens.
- Registration will close when capacity is reached or by April 21, 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 provides guidance on how to integrate visitors and volunteers into natural areas management.
Participants will:
- Learn to effectively and appropriately plan recreation opportunities for visitor use, including trails and facilities
- Apply knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines to develop new facilities as well as evaluate existing ones
- Create effective and informative interpretation for visitors
- Develop an understanding of the benefits and challenges of managing a volunteer program
- Learn about the types of trainings and legal issues required for a volunteer program
- Learn how to recruit volunteers and the important elements of volunteer job descriptions
- Understand the importance of providing recognition for your volunteers
This workshop is presented in a hybrid format (Both the online and in-person trainings are REQUIRED).
Online coursework:
Approximately 10 hours across 3-weeks (on your own, with weekly assignment deadlines prior to the in-person workshop); reliable internet connection and computer required.
Draft of Assignment Checklist: Online Assignment Checklist MVV 2026
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 Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights, FL.
Draft of Agenda: MVV Agenda 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, regardless of reason.
- 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 at least 2 weeks in advance of the registration date to request early registration access. Early access expires the day before regular registration begins.
Lodging:
Shared lodging available at Gold Head Branch State Park for $50/person/night (price subject to change); NATA will coordinate cabin-sharing. Single occupancy available for additional fee, pending availability.
If you need to purchase lodging separately from your registration, please email the NATA Training Coordinator in advance.
For more information, contact:
Training Coordinator
Natural Areas Training Academy
