Escambia Extension Offering Upland Systems Training Course Feb. 4-March 11

UF/IFAS Escambia Extension is offering an Upland Systems Training Course open to anyone interested in obtaining a hands-on, in-depth education about Florida's natural environment. The 6-week course runs from Tuesday, Feb. 4 until Tuesday, March 11.

The course includes classroom instruction, field trips, and practical experience related to the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife, and conservation issues of Florida's upland ecosystems. Field trips will include Blackwater State Forest, the Florida Trail, the University of West Florida, and the Biophilia Center. Classroom sessions will meet once a week at different locations throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Registration is open now through noon on Tuesday, Jan. 28. To register, visit the UF/IFAS website, scroll to "Upland Systems," and select Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The cost to register is $350 with a digital PDF of the course book or $425 with a full color hard copy manual. The course includes 40 contact hours of instruction, a comprehensive student reference workbook, and registration in the University of Florida Florida Master Naturalist Program database as an Upland Systems Naturalist upon completion. A UF/IFAS certificate of achievement, embroidered FMNP patch and FMNP coastal lapel pin also will be provided at completion of the course.

For more information, contact Carrie Stevenson, Coastal Sustainability Agent IV, at 850-475-5230.