Registration requirements: Preregistration required by Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Recommended Audience: This course is designed exclusively for adults.

Course Description: 

LIVE ZOOM INSTRUCTION AND IN-PERSON CLASSES:

• Live online instruction on Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays (September 26–November 2) from 6-8 pm
• In-person classes at Rowe Woods on two Saturdays (October 7 and 28) from 9 am-5 pm

Hosted by Cincinnati Nature Center in collaboration with OSU Extension in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. For more information see: https://ocvn.osu.edu/

Cost: $280 for the full course, including all reading materials, certification fee with OSU, in person classes, and live online instruction. Application deadline is Tuesday, September 12, 2023, but spots fill fast, so don’t delay! 

The mission of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist 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. Coursework includes training in geology, plants, insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, ecology, stewardship, and interpretation. Classes are offered throughout the state, and Cincinnati Nature Center is the largest provider.

Participants of this OCVN course will have 24 hours of live online class time and 16 hours live at Cincinnati Nature Center, plus readings and multiple-choice quizzes. You must have access to a computer and internet to take this course.

To receive certification, upon completing the OCVN course, participants must document 40 hours of volunteer service and/or continuing education at any Ohio organization with a compatible program mission. After certification, 20 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of continuing education 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 enjoyment.  

For this cohort, this is a hybrid class with a mix of virtual and in-person classes. 

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.

Program Benefits:

• Learn about the biology, ecology, and natural history of Ohio and how to share the 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.
• Meet experts in a variety of fields.

Series Dates:

Attendance is mandatory; do not register if you will miss more than four hours—including either of the two Saturday dates. Missing more than four hours of Zoom classes or either of the Saturday dates would exclude you from graduation; there are no makeup dates. 

• On Zoom: Tuesday, September 26, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Thursday, September 28, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Tuesday, October 3, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Thursday, October 5, 6-8 pm
• In-Person at Rowe Woods: Saturday, October 7, 9 am – 5 pm
• On Zoom: Tuesday, October 10, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Thursday, October 12, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Tuesday, October 17, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Thursday, October 19, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Tuesday, October 24, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Thursday, October 26, 6-8 pm
• In-Person at Rowe Woods: Saturday, October 28, 9 am – 5 pm
• On Zoom: Tuesday, October 31, 6-8 pm
• On Zoom: Thursday, November 2, 6-8 pm

By registering below, you agree to the following:

Pet Policy for Programs: For the comfort and safety of all guests, no pets are allowed at programs or events. Service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome. Therapy animals, whose function is to provide comfort or emotional support, do not qualify as service animals. For more information about pets on our grounds, please see our pet policies on our website. 

Program Policy: Cincinnati Nature Center may update the status or format of programs based on conditions at the time of the program. 

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations or transfers are subject to a $50 administrative fee per request. Cancellations or transfer requests made with less than two weeks’ notice will not be refunded. No refunds will be issued after Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 6 pm.

Media Release: All participants (18 and older) associated with this transaction grant permission to Cincinnati Nature Center to utilize images, likenesses, actions, or statements in any form taken during a visit to the Nature Center, a Nature Center sponsored event, or virtual presentation for the purpose of promoting the Nature Center in perpetuity.