CANFIELD, Ohio — Do you love Ohio and its rich natural heritage? Do you like water flowing in streams, ponds or lakes? Do you enjoy watching and learning about birds and animals? Are you passionate about gardening and creating space and food for our precious wildlife? (Not necessarily from your vegetable garden.) Do have a desire to devote your time and energy volunteering to better and educate your community and preserve the beautiful nature surrounding us?
If so, you might be interested in becoming an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist with Ohio State University’s Extension Office in Mahoning County.
The OCVN program is a hands-on, natural resources outreach and service program. Their mission is to promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio’s natural resources through science-based education and community service. Through the program, you are given a chance to work in different settings you love and have the ability to share your passion and knowledge with those around you.
To become a part of this program, you will go through 40 hours of training made up of classroom and field work covering a variety of topics. Topics range from mammals to forests, geology to watersheds, botany to stewardship and more. During each day, you will learn how each concept relates to extensive environmental concerns. All of the topics you see reported on the news will truly be put into perspective. The OCVN training program is taught by a variety of different speakers and teachers. You’ll get the chance to hear from wildlife experts, naturalists, OSU extensions experts, nature center and park staff, the Army Corps, faculty and others.
As a new OCVN, you will be expected to complete 40 volunteer hours at local organizations compatible with your interests and passions and the mission of the program. Throughout training, you will learn about different organizations and their volunteer opportunities. These opportunities may include township parks, nature centers, Metroparks and other public entities supporting nature and the outdoors. Through volunteering, there will be tons of opportunities to share your new knowledge and personal skills. You could help by presenting environmental education programs and developing other outreach programs in your community.
If you’re more into research, you can participate in citizen science research and help gain science-based answers to questions about nature and wildlife. Leading tours or hikes and sharing your knowledge to groups of people is an excellent example of land stewardship. You can also help with program support at these organizations or with OSU Extension to promote OCVN activities and events for the public.
The training begins on Jan. 21, 2019, at the Extension Office in Canfield. There are generally two Monday evenings each month through May and four Saturday programs as part of the training experience. You’ll be given a chance to work in a team with volunteers to gain new knowledge and participate in hands-on activities.
The cost of the OCVN program is $200 per person. This cost will cover refreshments, some meals, speakers, the manual and more. Applications are due to the office by Jan. 11, 2019. Once applications are received, they will be reviewed for acceptance into the program. Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as possible. Payment is due before the start of the first class.
To learn more about the training and program, call OSU Extension at 330-533-5538 or to review the details, mission, training dates and the application, visit go.osu.edu/naturalisttraining.
— OSU Extension