Registration has closed for the 2020-2021 Junior Master Naturalist Program.
Click here for a reminder email when we open registration for 2021-2021.
Note: Participants will need to join a Google Classroom, join an iNaturalist project, and access a restricted Zoom meeting.
Join us for the 2020-2021 Junior Master Naturalist program Wild for Wild Things. We will be exploring the wildlife and habitats near us. Our topics for the year include:
- Creeping and Crawling Creatures
- Moths
- Habitats and Homes
- Mammals
- Backyard Birds
- Ducks
- Pollinators
- Amphibians and Reptiles
The program focuses on Junior Master Naturalists getting outside, making observations, and learning about the creatures seen. We will use a hybrid model. We will have:
- 45 minute weekly group meetings on Thursday evenings starting at 7pm including monthly invites to the Good Water Master Naturalist seminar
- weekly observation activities to be completed individually and shared with the group through iNaturalist and weekly meetings
- online Master Naturalist videos and other learning resources links for deep understanding of our Central Texas creatures
- spring field trips to explore with a Master Naturalist (tentative per organizational policies, parent/guardian must accompany children on field trips)
Spring Saturday field trips will be dependent upon what the COVID-19 active cases are at the time of the field trip. No fall field trips will take place.
In order to protect our families and volunteers, there will not be an in-person classroom component this year. The in-person field trips are also tentative, but we are hopeful. In-person field trips are subject to local/state/national restrictions as well as Williamson County 4H and Good Water Master Naturalist policies. Although we love to get outdoors together, safety is our number one priority.
Grades: 3rd-5th grade (previous JMN participants are also welcome)
Fees: $51 Total ($25 JMN Registration, $25 4H Membership, and $1 iNaturalist youth set-up)
The $25 JMN registration fee may be paid through PayPal or a mailed check during registration. Registration is not complete until this fee is paid. Additional information will be sent in September for 4H fees and to set up the iNaturalist account.
Participants need to be able to access Google Classroom, join live Zoom sessions, and set up and access an iNaturalist account.
Each participant will receive a Junior Master Naturalist t-shirt prior to any spring field trips.
To earn the Junior Master Naturalist pin, each participant must attend at least 80% of the online meetings and complete at least 80% of the observation activities. Field trip participation will not be required to earn the pin as we understand some may not be able to engage in in-person events.
Program Start Date: September 10, 2020
Program End Date: May 15, 2020
Fall Schedule:
Thursday 7pm Online Meetings: September 10 to December 10 (no meeting on Thanksgiving)
Spring Schedule:
Thursday 7pm Online Meetings (before Spring Break): January 14 to March 4
Thursday 7pm Online Meetings (after Spring Break): March 25 to May 13
Birding Field Trip: Saturday, February 6 – tentative morning time/location TBD
Amphibians Field Trip: Saturday, April 10 – tentative evening time/location TBD
End of Year Service and Celebration: Saturday, May 15 – tentative morning time/location TBD