Program Description (include how it meets membership criteria)
The CCMN Program is administered by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Division of Nature Preserves and Natural Resources. It has three major components that participants must complete to become a Certified Central Carolinas Master Naturalist: basic training course, Advanced Training, and volunteer service.
Once accepted into the CCMN program via an online application process, participants must successfully complete the Basic Training Course. The course is a minimum of 60 hours and is offered annually in the spring. Classes meet one day per week (February – May) at various locations in and around Mecklenburg County and are taught by a variety of local experts. Most classes combine classroom and hands-on/field experience. Class attendance is mandatory. Class topics include, but are not limited to: Ornithology, Herpetology, Forest Management, Urban Systems, Forestry, Botany, Geology, Mammals, and Weather & Climate.
After successful completion of the basic training course, participants must complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of approved Advanced Training. In addition, a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service must be completed on approved projects. Volunteer service must be conducted within the specified program area of the Central Carolinas. Volunteer service projects focus on the following key areas: Administrative/Program Support, Environmental Education, Stewardship, and Citizen Science.
Advanced Training and volunteer service requirements must be completed within one year of the last day of the basic training course then on an annual basis thereafter for re-certification.
