Learn more about nature and then share your knowledge with others by becoming an Indiana Master Naturalist through Fort Harrison State Park in 2017.

Fort Harrison has partnered with The Museum of 20th Century Warfare to host an Indiana Master Naturalist class starting in January and lasting through December.

Sessions are on the second Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. at the park's visitors center. Each session will focus on a different natural or cultural topic ranging from the history of Fort Harrison to Indiana birds, Indiana mammals and more.

The Indiana Master Naturalist Program (IMNP) is an educational/volunteer program developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Purdue University Extension. The mission of IMNP is to bring together natural resources specialists with adult learners to foster an understanding of Indiana's plants, water, soils and wildlife and to promote volunteer service in local communities.

The classes are open to anyone age 18 or older.

The cost of the 2017 IMN class is $80 per student. Participants must attend at least 10 of 12 sessions and complete 30 hours of volunteer service in order to become a certified Indiana Master Naturalist.

Registration is limited to the first 30 students. The registration deadline is Dec. 31.

To register, and for more information, call (317) 591-0122 or email jcummings@dnr.IN.gov.

Fort Harrison State Park (stateparks.IN.gov/2982.htm) is at 5753 Glenn Road, Indianapolis, 46216.

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

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Media contact: Jeff Cummings, interpretive naturalist, Fort Harrison State Park, (317) 591-0122, jcummings@dnr.IN.gov.