1. Maryland Master Naturalist Volunteer Training Program Orientation
As of 2015
This is the administrative portion of the training. We know you are excited to learn interesting facts about Maryland’s natural world, but please bear with us for a short while first as we review a few “housekeeping” things.

2. JUST How does this Master Naturalist program work?

3. Objectives for this Presentation
Review:
Structure of program
Volunteer service
Training: curriculum & requirements
Questions
52 hours of instruction, including hands-on activities and outdoor exploration
At least one 8-hour field trip to someplace other than your host site
Sessions & field trips will appear on the agenda provided by your Program Facilitator
You will also participate in a group project and take an open-source exam as part of the training program
Once the training program is complete, you may begin to perform your annual 40 hours of volunteer service

4. Agriculture and Natural Resources College of
As a review, we want to make sure you understand how the MD Master Naturalist Program fits within the University of MD System. The University of Maryland at College Park comprises many colleges.
(mouse click) The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is one of those colleges.
(mouse click) Housed within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is University of Maryland Extension, an outreach branch of the university.
(mouse click) The Maryland Master Naturalist program is a volunteer training program administered through University of Maryland Extension. Extension is well known for some of it’s premier volunteer training programs including the MD Master Gardeners and the MD 4-H Volunteers.

5. Your Program Host Site(s): training is conducted by a host site or sites where you will then volunteer as a Maryland Master Naturalist.
Programming is delivered at a HOST SITE and this is also where you will perform your first 40 hours of volunteer service. The program is conducted by your Host Site PROGRAM FACILITATOR and that is your contact for person for everything program-related, such as training session make-ups, volunteer hours reporting, etc.

6. Certified Maryland Master Naturalist
Certified Maryland Master Naturalists are required to:
complete at least 60 hours of basic training (including the 8-hr field trip),
pass the course’s Final Exam, and
volunteer at least 40 hours of service
. . . each year to remain a MD Master Naturalist
If you turn to the front section of your manual (in front of any tabs), you’ll find the Participant Requirements, which describe what you need to do to become and remain a certified Master Naturalist volunteer.

7. Volunteer Service Requirement:
Minimum of 40 Hours per Year to Obtain and Retain Certification
Intern Year (Your First Year) to Obtain Certification: Complete 40 hrs. by 1st Anniversary of Your Last Day of Class
Subsequent Years: Complete 40 hrs. each Calendar Year to Retain Certification
You begin accumulating volunteer hours once basic training is complete.
You have 1 year from the last day of training to complete your required service hours.
You are encouraged to continue logging your hours after the 40 hour requirement has been met.
Subsequent years will be on a calendar year (January 1 – December 31).
You are not allowed to take payment for your volunteer service. You may, however accept an honorarium if it is then given to the facilitator to be used to enhance your local Master Naturalist program. Also, you may not represent yourself as a Master Naturalist while you are working for pay.

8. I finished the first class today, when can I start volunteering for service credit?
Right now
Halfway through my volunteer training
After I complete my volunteer training
Not sure
Question: When can you begin accruing volunteer hours?
Answer: 3 - After I complete my volunteer training
However, in some instances, it can be halfway through the training, if the training lasts many months, like Adkins Arboretum (Oct.-July)

9. Volunteering
Request that you provide your first 40 hours of your training program host site
Volunteer somewhere other than host site?
Can I accept a payment/honorarium?
Your position description is similar to the job description of a paid employee. In it you will find what is expected of you as a volunteer. You will not be asked to do everything listed in the “example responsibilities” section of the position description but you’ll get a good idea of the variety of volunteer opportunities available to you at your host site.
We recommend that you give your first 40 hours of service to your host site. You may be able to volunteer somewhere other than your host site but check first with your program facilitator for approval.
To maintain your Active Master Naturalist status, you must give at least 40 hours of service each year.

10. Where do I record my hours?
Don’t need to
On-line
Volunteer activity log
Not sure
Answer: 2 – Volunteer Activity Log

11. Volunteer Activity Log
In your manual, find the Volunteer Activity Log
Recordkeeping requirement
“Other” category of log – be specific
Paper/computer/host site
Periodically, to facilitator
End of year to state office
Facilitator approval
See facilitator if unable to complete 40 hours
No “double dipping”
Yes, you are required to record your hours
We periodically update our forms. You can help us by sharing specifics of an activity you’ve completed that is not already listed in the log.
You can keep your records on paper at home and periodically log it in the “Master Log” at your host site. Eventually, you’ll be able to log your hours on-line.
Your hours are turned in to the state office at the end of the year to be compiled into a statewide annual report.
You must keep in contact with your facilitator and get approval for all volunteer service activities.
If you are unable to complete your service hours within the specified timeframe, see your facilitator. They may be able to work out an arrangement with you.
If you are also a Master Gardener, you may not record your service hours for both programs.

12. To whom do I report my volunteer hours?
University of Maryland Extension
My facilitator
My best friend
Not sure
Answer: 2 - My facilitator
That data eventually comes to University of Maryland Extension (at the end of each calendar year), but it initially goes to your facilitator.

13. Curriculum Three sets of information: Pre-reading material Manual
Class
In-Class Instruction/Field Work
Extended Field Trip
Group Project
Attendance Policy – no more than 2 missed classes
There are three pools of information you’ll receive in this training. First, you’ll receive a pre-reading assignment before most classes to help prepare you for your classroom experience.
Secondly, your manual contains information you should know as a Master Naturalist.
Your classroom lecture will cover some of the current concerns about the topic and how they are being addressed here in Maryland. You should also expect some hands-on and outdoor experiences with most lectures.
You will notice that your lecture will not mirror your manual. Use your manual and pre-reading assignments as a reference for your classroom learning.
If you miss two or more classes without making them up, you are not eligible for certification.
The group project is designed to require the trainee to use skills learned or discussed in the classroom. It gives them an opportunity to practice their skills in a non-judgmental environment.
The field trip is required. It is at the discretion of the facilitator on how to make it up.

14. https://agnrgroups.umd.edu/master-naturalist-assignments
Pre-Reading Material

15. Pre-Reading Material
Please refer to the schedule in preparing for each class.
The pre-readings are designed to give "basis" information about each topic with which we feel all Trainees should be familiar.
The Units will not be taught in order.  Not all Units have a pre-reading at this time.
The pre-readings are from multiple Instructors and do not necessarily reflect your Instructor's presentation.
The supplemental readings are "extra" reading that Instructors thought you might find interesting depending on your knowledge level.

16. Manual Reference Goals & learning objectives Basic info Keys
Fact sheets
Activities
The manual should be used as a reference.
There should be goals and learning objectives listed for each chapter.
Each chapter includes basic information you should know about a topic.
Some chapters also include keys, fact sheets and hands-on activities that you may complete during the class or can use when teaching others.
* We are considering putting this manual online to save some trees. At the end of the class, please help us decide by completing the post-training on-line evaluation.

17. In which unit/chapter would you learn about mushrooms?
Unit One
Unit Two
Unit Three
Unit Four
None of the Above
Take a minute to go through your manual and find the answer to this question.
You can learn about mushrooms by looking through the microbes chapter found in Unit 2, flora & fauna.

18. Where would you learn about how to fertilize your lawn?
Unit One
Unit Two
Unit Three
Unit Four
None of the above
This class concentrates on what happens in the natural environment as opposed to what you do in your backyard – what we call the built environment. Lawn fertilization is a Master Gardener topic. Nutrient recycling on the forest floor is a Master Naturalist topic and information about that can be found in Unit 3 - Ecology.

19. Would you prefer receiving your manual in print or electronically?

20. Would you prefer receiving your manual in print or electronically?
Both

21. I’m not good at taking tests. Do I have to take the final exam?
Yes No
Answer: yes

22. Final Exam
Turn to the Qualification section of the Position Description
Take home
Week to complete
Turned in and graded for certification
70% correct to pass
Retake?
Yes, you do. The final exam is not meant to eliminate people from the program. it is meant to ensure that everyone has acquired the same basic knowledge.
[Mouse Click]
The test is a take home, open book exam. You’ll have a week to complete it. You will turn it in to be graded THE NEXT WEEK. You must achieve a passing grade of at least 70%. If you don’t, you will be offered another opportunity to retake the part of the exam you failed.

23. Summary of Requirements
52 hours of classroom training (plus 8 hours field trip)
Final Exam
40 hours volunteer service annually
8 hours advanced training (after the first year)
Ongoing communication with facilitator
Activity log updated

24. I become a Certified Master Naturalist . . .
Right now
After I complete my volunteer training
After I complete my service hours
After I’ve been in the program for a year
Not sure
Question: Exactly when can you call yourself a Master Naturalist?
Answer: 3 - After I complete my service hours

25. Master Naturalist Designations
Find Levels of Master Naturalist in your manual:
You are a TRAINEE while completing the 60 hrs of classroom/field studies
You are an INTERN once you complete the training and embark on your first year of volunteer service
You are CERTIFIED once you complete the first 40 hrs of volunteer service (though you may not receive your certificate/official badge until the 1-yr anniversary date of your training program end date)
You remain Certified by continuing to provide a minimum of 40 hrs of volunteer service AND acquiring a minimum of 8 hrs of Advanced Training
There are several participation levels in the MD Master Naturalist Program.
In order to be considered an active Master Naturalist Volunteer in good standing, you must volunteer at least 40 hours each year.
If you miss two or more classes without making them up, you are not eligible for certification.
The group project is designed to require the trainee to use skills learned or discussed in the classroom. It gives them an opportunity to practice their skills in a non-judgmental environment.
The field trip is required. It is at the discretion of the facilitator on how to make it up.

26. Advanced Training
Requirement: 8 hours per year (after your Intern year) required to maintain Certified Maryland Master Naturalist Status
What Advanced Training is NOT:
Watching “Nature” on PBS
Reading a book
What Advanced Training IS:
Class
Field Studies
Lots of opportunities are posted to the Md Master Naturalist Listserv

27. Wanda MacLachlan – wtm@umd.edu
Questions?
Wanda MacLachlan –
MD Master Naturalist Program Coordinator
Joy Rafey –
Maryland Master Naturalist Program Assistant
11975 Homewood Road
Ellicott City, MD