Hosted By Cincinnati Nature Center in collaboration with The Ohio State University
The popular OSU Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist course will be offered again this Fall using our popular online format. Join us for fifteen virtual, live presentations (Tuesdays and Thursdays) September through November. Cost is $260 and includes training manual and certification fees to Ohio State University. The mission of the OCVN program is to promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio's natural resources through science-based education and community service. The program emphasizes hands-on natural resource and environmental education coupled with volunteer service.
Participants in this cohort of the OCVN program will participate in 30 hours of online presentations and 10 hours of required outdoor homework, plus readings to prepare for a multiple choice test. You must have access to a computer and internet to take this course.
Upon completing the OCVN course, participants are eligible to volunteer 40 hours of volunteer service at any Ohio organization with a compatible program mission. Following the required volunteer service, certification is granted by OSU. After certification, 20 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training are required annually to remain certified. If you choose not to pursue certification, you are still welcome to take this course for your own knowledge and skip the volunteerism.
This is a great way to meet like-minded new friends and get to know nature center staff while taking your commitment to nature a step further! For more information contact Connie O’Connor at coconnor@cincynature.org.
Spaces in the course will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. This program is available to adults and mature teens 16 and up. Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 21, 2020.
Program Benefits:
- Learn about the biology, ecology and natural history of Ohio and how to share that knowledge with others.
- Become part of a local and statewide network of dedicated volunteers.
- Apply your talents and passion to protecting, restoring and understanding Ohio's natural treasures.
Registration and payment covers 15 online Zoom presentations and one optional field day:
There will be one optional free field day at Cincinnati Nature Center's Rowe Woods location (4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150) on Saturday, Oct 24 from 9 am–3 pm, which can substitute for 6 hours of self-led homework assignments. Please bring a mask for the optional field day.
Attendance is mandatory for all Zoom presentations. Do not register if you will miss more than one class.
All cancellations are subject to a $50 administrative fee per request. Cancellations made with less than two weeks’ notice will not be refunded.
This very popular series has been offered online since Summer 2020 due to COVID-19.