Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Course (Online), Summer 2021

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Tuesday June 8

6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 8th – July 29th, 6 – 8 pm on Zoom 

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/

$265 for the full course, including all reading materials, certification fee with OSU, and optional field day.  

This very popular course has been delivered online for over 150 happy customers since last summer to comply with OSU’s Covid guidelines. 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.  

All required classes are on Zoom.  Cincinnati Nature Center is sponsoring one OPTIONAL free in-person field day at Rowe Woods in Milford using strict Covid protocols.  

Participants of this OCVN course will have 32 hours of live online class time and will be required to do 10 hours of independent outdoor investigations and journaling, 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 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.   

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.

Available to adults and mature teens 16 and up. Application deadline is June 4, 2021, but spots fill fast so don’t delay! 

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.

Attendance is mandatory. Do not register if you will miss more than one class. 

All sessions are virtual on Zoom and offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 pm (except for the choice of an optional field day on July 17th). 

Tuesday, June 8, 2021 - Welcome/Intro

Thursday, June 10, 2021 - Geology 

Tuesday June 15, 2021 - Soils 

Thursday, June 17, 2021 - Watersheds 

Tuesday, June 22, 2021 - Plants 

Thursday, June 24,2021 - Forests

Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - Ornithology

Thursday July 1, 2021 - Aquatic Life 

Tuesday, July 6, 2021 - Interpretation 

Thursday July 8, 2021 - Entomology 

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 - Herpetology  

Thursday, July 15, 2021 - Mammals/Bats 

Saturday, July 17, 2021 – OPTIONAL Field Day from 9 am – 3 pm 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 - Pollination

Thursday, July 22, 2021 - Ecology 

Tuesday July 27, 2021 - Stewardship 

Thursday July 29, 2021 - Wrap /Volunteer Opportunities

 

All cancellations or transfers are subject to a $50 administrative fee per request. Cancellations made with less than two weeks’ notice will not be refunded.

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