The Georgia Master Naturalist program has experienced significant growth since 2002 through collaborations with various public and private organizations across the state. These partnerships provide expertise, educational sites, and other resources that allow the program to expand its course offerings and reach more than 700 participants annually. Graduates then volunteer extensively in their communities, assisting partner organizations that face budget cuts. As the economy and population growth place increasing pressures on natural resources, the collaborative nature of the program helps sustain high-quality adult environmental education in Georgia.

1. Amanda Tedrow atedrow@uga.edu
The University of Georgia
Community Collaborations Drive Success of
Georgia Master Naturalist Program
Tedrow,* A.M.1; Barentine, R.M.²; Gardner, D.M.³; Kelly, K.A.4; Linvill, D.L.5; Livingston, K.D.6; Macie, J.L.7; Mengak, M.8 1Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Clarke
County, Athens, Georgia 30606, ²Pulaski County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Hawkinsville, GA, 31036; ³3Bryan County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Pembroke, GA, 31321; 4Bibb County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Macon, GA,
31201; 5Chatham County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Savannah, GA, 31412; 6Douglass County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Douglasville, GA, 30134; 7Rockdale County Extension Agent, University of Georgia, Conyers, GA, 30094
8Associate Professor, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602.
ABSTRACT
The Georgia Master Naturalist program provides sessions which are customized to the local environment and the issues affecting specific habitats. These habitats include: swamps, ponds, rivers, wetlands, mountains, forests, farms, and urban landscapes. This
Extension education program partners with numerous public and private organizations statewide to provide unbiased, scientifically accurate information concerning environmental issues. Program facilitators work with both public and private entities statewide
to provide experiential programming with a regional focus. As the economy continues to affect Cooperative Extension as well as other organizations though layoffs and cutbacks, these community partnerships are imperative to ensure that the mission of
Cooperative Extension is being met. After graduation from the program, class participants volunteer throughout their local community, providing support to environmental education facilities which have been affected by budgetary layoffs and cutbacks. These
partner facilities include state and private colleges and universities, nature centers, botanical gardens, arboretums, and state agencies. Master Naturalist volunteer projects include activities such as: propagation, plant and animal care, tour facilitation, grant
writing, habitat restoration, canopy studies, and future program facilitation.
INTRODUCTION *My personal behaviors will change
as a result of this program.
At current growth rates, Georgia’s population will grow 34% between 2000
and 2015 to nearly 11 million residents with over half of this population
*I have a better understanding of
living in urban areas1. Combined with the fact that 80% of Americans are
our natural resources and the
heavily influenced by incorrect or outdated environmental myths,
agencies that work to protect them.
environmental educators realize that there is much work ahead2.
*I would recommend this program
With the recent economic environment, state agencies and private entities to others.
have had numerous cutback in both personnel and resources. This makes
Figure 3: At least 95% of the participants surveyed statewide answered YES to the
the task of raising environmental awareness seem almost impossible. statements listed above.
Collaboration between environmental education groups is necessary to
sustain this educational effort.
1
2
Source: Georgia 2015 Population Projections ‐ Georgia Office of Planning and Budget, 2005.
Source: National Environmental Education Foundation
CONCLUSION
Program success can be measured by several different means. The jump
Master Naturalist participants learn about long leaf pines from a Georgia in enrollment from the initial 25 participants to over 200 annually is one
MATERIALS & METHODS Forestry Commission forester while visiting Charlane Plantation. testament to the programs success. Although each local chapter has
different curriculums and goals for their groups, there were some
The Georgia Master Naturalist program began in Effingham County on important overarching results from individual programs (Figures 3 & 4).
Georgia’s Coast in 2002. The program has now grown to eleven host sites
and has reached more than 700 statewide participants during this 10 year Georgia Master Naturalist Program Collaborators
period (Figure 1). As the program has expanded so has the number of Despite the economy and misguided public perception about our natural
Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
topics, venues, instructors, and other partners. Successful growth of the resources, the Georgia Master Naturalist program remains a strong adult
Houston County Landfill U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service environmental education program in our state. Through our
program could only be achieved by working with groups like state and local
collaborators with similar goals (Figure 2). They provide support in a Athens Clarke County Solid Waste collaborations, we are able to maintain high quality programming that
Robins Air Force Base
Department supports our mission of providing unbiased, scientifically accurate
number of ways. Most commonly, Cooperative Extension looks to these
groups to provide speakers who are field experts and sites for field trips. Thompson Mill Arboretum U.S. National Forest Service information about environmental issues.
Without these collaborators, the Georgia Master Naturalist program could Sandy Creek Nature Center U.S. National Park Service
not grow as it has. Athens Clarke County Stormwater *Wrote articles for local community publications
Mercer University
and Water Conservation Departments
*Presented at garden clubs, community groups, and churches
Wesleyan College Georgia Forestry Commission
2002 2012 GA Department of Natural Resources Charlane Plantation *Taught youth environmental education programs at local museums
KaMin Industries Macon Water Authority *Planned and facilitated Master Naturalist programs for others
University of Georgia – Horticulture Department, Entomology Department &
Museum of Natural History *Planned and facilitated youth day camp similar to adult program
Figure 2: Examples of Statewide Collaborators for the Georgia Master Naturalist *Joined and advocated for local environmental organizations
Program.
Figure 4: Accomplishments of Master Naturalist program graduates.
“This has been a great class. I have learned far more than I thought I would.”
“I have lived in Georgia my whole life and have never visited some of these locations. We take so
Figure 1: Growth in Georgia Master Naturalist Program from 2002 through 2012 many things for granted.” ‐Comments from evaluations of past graduates