CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2024) – Registration is open for the Freshwater Module of the Florida Master Naturalist Program, offered in Charlotte County by UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant. The course will be taught on six consecutive Thursdays starting Oct. 18 and will include lectures on Florida’s unique ecosystems and wildlife as well field experiences around Charlotte County. Lectures will be based in Punta Gorda. Course registration is $350 with the opportunity to pay an extra $75 for a paper copy of the learning materials. Registration is first –come, first –served, but will end on Oct. 4 if all 25 available seats are filled prior. 
The Florida Master Naturalist Program is an adult education program developed by the University of Florida and provided by participating organizations. Courses have been offered in Charlotte County since 2009. Upon graduation from the Freshwater Module, Uplands Module, and Coastal Module, students earn the certification of Florida Master Naturalist. Florida Sea Grant plans to offer the Uplands Module and Coastal Module in 2025.  
 For course details and to register for the Freshwater Module visit https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/fs24-14inperson.php 
 To stay up to date on Florida Master Naturalist Course offerings in Charlotte County, join Florida Sea Grant’s emailing list at http://eepurl.com/irPkas  
 For information, contact Kate Rose at Kate.Rose0210@ufl.edu or 941-764-4346 or Cathy Tucker at Tuckerc1@ufl.edu or 941-764-4349. 
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