Winyah Master Naturalist

How do beach animals survive in the intertidal zone?

What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?

Why are snakes’ tongues forked?

Are you curious about the plants, animals, and habitats around you? Explore the coast with the Winyah Master Naturalist Course being offered this fall as a part of the South Carolina Master Naturalist Program. During this 12 week course, we will practice identification skills, learn ecological concepts, discuss the natural history of the habitats we visit, examine human impacts on the environment, and develop the skills necessary to be active volunteer stewards in the community. Field trip sites include the North Inlet–Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Hobcaw Barony, Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, the Waccamaw Wildlife Refuge, and other local areas of interest. Participants completing the course and 30 hours of approved volunteer work will receive a Master Naturalist certification and will be eligible to join a local chapter and participate in advanced volunteer training courses.

Classes

Mondays, typically from 9 AM to 4 PM, although times may vary depending on field trip activities. Participants will be responsible for transportation to and from field trip sites.  One overnight trip is required. 

Course Fee

The $600, non-refundable includes includes the Master Naturalist Training Manual, the Winyah Master Naturalist Course Book, 5 field guides, a write in the rain notebook, hand lens, entrance fees to field trip sites*, and a resource CD.

The Winyah Master Naturalist Course is being offered through a partnership between the SC Cooperative Extension program and the North Inlet - Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Huntington Beach State Park, Clemson’s Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology & Forest Science, and the Belle W. Baruch Foundation.