It’s time to register for Indiana Master Naturalist (IMN) classes that Upper Wabash Interpretive Services is hosting at the Salamonie Nature Center beginning on April 2.

Salamonie Lake’s IMN program offers a chance to learn from nature-resource specialists and gain an understanding of Indiana’s plants, water ecology, soils, and wildlife while promoting volunteer service in local communities. At the completion of the classes, participants will gain the title of Indiana Master Naturalist. The program was developed by the DNR and the Purdue Extension Service.

The wide range of topics and presenters at the Salamonie Lake program will include Invasive Species with Dawn Slack, Indiana director of stewardship, The Nature Conservancy; Geology with Tony Fleming, ACRES Land Trust; Surface Water with Nate Bosch, director of Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, Grace College; and Entomology with Vince Burkle, Northeast Indiana nursery inspector and compliance officer, DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, among others.

Classes will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings April 2-25, from 6-9 p.m. There will also be two Saturday sessions from 9 a.m. to noon.

Participants must attend the orientation meeting on April 2, eight of the 10 class sessions, and complete a final exam and 30 volunteer hours to obtain the Master Naturalist Certification and a pin from the state.

Class size is limited to 30 participants and spots will fill quickly. The $85 registration fee needs to be paid at time of registration, which is through Tuesday, March 22.

Registration applications are available by visiting Salamonie Nature/Interpretive Center or by emailing Teresa Rody at trody@dnr.IN.gov. Call 260-468-2127 for more information.

Upper Wabash Interpretive Services (dnr.IN.gov/uwis) is at 3691 New Holland Road, Andrews, 46702.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

-30-

Media contact: Teresa Rody, interpretive naturalist, 260-468-2127, trody@dnr.IN.gov