Course Syllabus

Session Dates

January 3rd, 2023 – April 15th, 2023

Course Details

Course Coordination and Facilitation – Maria Icenogle ( micenogle@highlandscenter.org) & Sarah Vincent (svincent@highlandscenter.org)

Meeting Days and Location 

Required Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-8pm on Zoom

Required in-person attendance at three out of six field experiences

• • • January 28th @ Highlands Center for Natural History (HCNH)
    • February 11th @ Prescott Creeks
    • February 25th @ Natural History Institute
    • March 4th @ Montezuma Castle
    • March 25th @ Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
    • April 8th @ Sharlot Hall Museum

Required in-person attendance at Capstone Presentations, April 15th @ HCNH

Important course and program web materials 

Canvas Log In page – bookmark this link in your browser

https://canvas.instructure.com/login/canvas 

Technical Assistance Email – if you need help with Canvas, Google Drive, or Volgistics

Email: paul.basar57@gmail.com or gregstewart1952@gmail.com

Volgistics (Volunteer hours log) –  bookmark this link in your browser

https://www.volgistics.com/vicnet/298558/login 

Arizona Master Naturalist Website 

https://https://azmasternaturalist.org

Central Highlands Chapter of the Arizona Master Naturalist Website 

https://azmnch.org

Course Description

The Central Highlands Master Naturalist Program is a leadership development certification course designed to supplement natural and cultural history training and docent programs and volunteer service opportunities available in communities across the state. This course includes an overview of natural history in the central Highlands of Arizona, best practices in education, and leadership in the context of community partner needs. Completing this course and subsequent volunteer hours can result in statewide certification. AZMN is a 60-hour experiential course, including 25% of course time spent in hands-on field experiences.To learn more about what is required and recommended for an Arizona Master Naturalist read this document.

Course Outcomes

These outcomes are to provide members with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be leaders in volunteer service for Chapter Community Partners affiliated with the Association. By the end of the course, participants will be able to

• Share and discuss information about Arizona biomes and natural and cultural history located within the Central Highlands of Arizona
• Develop and execute educational activities for the public regarding Central Highlands natural history
• Identify and fulfill the volunteer leadership needs of community partners

Tools for Success

• Access to a computer, laptop, or tablet
• Access to the internet 
• Access to a  library
• Field journal, either new or existing

For recommended texts, resources and field guides visit the website resource repository : https://azmnch.org/member-portal/

Assignments and Grading Policy

• Each week you will receive a list of recommended readings (if available for the upcoming topic) for the following week. 
• Each week you will receive a reflective assignment in a discussion board on Canvas designed to help you synthesize what you’ve learned and document questions you still have. These homework assignments are 5 points each. Full points are given to posts that a.) have a reference, b.) answer part or most of the questions, and c.) are at least 150 words in length.

• Once each week you will take time to go outside and create field journal entries. This is a time to practice observing, inquiring, recording, and reflecting on the natural world. Date each field journal entry and complete at least one page per week. Field journal entries are worth 5 points each. An entry for every week, 15 in total, results in 75 points.
• Attendance is defined as attending a Zoom meeting. Each class is worth 5 points. If you are unable to attend a meeting, you may make up those points by watching the recorded session and commenting in the discussion forum about something you learned from the recording.
•  Field experiences (FEs) are worth 150 points each. You are required to attend three of the six FEs. If you plan to attend all six, your top three grades will contribute to your final grade. You can also opt to attend all six FEs and only turn in three assignments.
• The free-choice capstone assignment is worth 250 points. You may choose to work in a group or independently. If you choose to be in a group you will be graded on your portion of the project. 
• To pass the course you must complete the above requirements and have earned a total of 780/1000 points.

2023 Central Highlands Master Naturalist Course Schedule

syllabus-course-schedule