Wetlands education returns to area
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Submitted Photo Dr. Martin Main, originator of the Florida Master Naturalist Program, is shown here teaching students about wetlands.

For the first time since Hurricane Ivan in 2004, officials with the University of Florida- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) are offering environmental education to the public. Their program, the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP), focuses on Florida's natural world and environmental history.

"Since Hurricane Ivan hit, we've been down for the count waiting for sites to reopen," Escambia County Sea Grant Extension Agent Adam Diller said of the 40-hour, hands-on program. "A lot of people have been asking for it over the last two years."

The upcoming program, scheduled for Feb. 27 through April 24, will concentrate on freshwater wetlands ecosystems and is designed to teach students about Florida's environment using science-based information and interpretive techniques that prepare them to share their knowledge with others.

"Wetlands serve as a system that polishes our surface waters before they discharge into open waters," said Sally Cooey with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). "Wetlands allow sediments in runoff water to drop out of suspension. That process is extremely important to open surface water bodies."

The program, designed by University of Florida associate professor of wildlife Martin Main, includes classroom presentations, field trips, and practical interpretive experience related to the general ecology, habitats, vegetation, wildlife, and conservation issues.

Amajority of class time will be spent at the Naval Live Oaks visitor's center, and will also include field trips to Big Lagoon in Escambia County, Garcon Point and the Seagrass Awareness Celebration at Shoreline Park South. Students will typically meet once per week.

Diller said one major point of discussion would be invasive, non-native species of plants and animals that may be harmful to local ecosystems. Chinese tallow, also known as popcorn trees or Florida aspens, are one such species of vegetation that can be harmful. The plant was introduced to the Southeast in the 1700's and was widely used as an ornamental element in colonial times. Now, the plant is taking large patches of land and reducing the habitat for native specimens.

"Property owners should be aware of what plants should or shouldn't be used in their yards," Diller said.

The FMNP instructors include Chris Verlinde, UF-IFAS Santa Rosa County Sea Grant Extension Agent, Andrew Diller, UF-IFAS Escambia County Sea Grant Extension Agent, Carrie Stevenson, Escambia County Florida Yards and Neighborhoods/Water Quality Agent and Jerry Kimbrough with FDEP. Registration for the course is open to the general public, ends Feb. 13 and the sign up cost is $200.

For more information about the course visit www.masternaturalist. org and for more information about invasive species v i s i t http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/ aquinv.html.