Do you enjoy learning about the plants, animals, ecology, and traditions of the Barnegat Bay and sharing what you’ve learned with others? Join us this spring for a training course to become a Barnegat Bay Master Naturalist volunteer.

The course consists of both virtual classroom sessions and field-based learning experiences about a wide range of wildlife and natural resource topics specific to the Barnegat Bay and its watershed. During the outdoor field sessions, you will learn from experienced naturalists and scientists while exploring both bay and upland habitats at various locations throughout Ocean County. The course also includes training in the skills volunteers need to help educate others about the bay and its watershed.

Course participants must have access to the internet for the virtual classroom sessions and be willing to drive to locations throughout Ocean County for the field sessions. Field trip activities will involve moderate physical activity, including hiking, kayaking, and seining in locations such as Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center, Island Beach State Park, and Bass River State Forest to name a few. Field trips will be rain or shine, unless there is extreme weather or otherwise specified.

After registering, course participants will receive a detailed schedule of session topics and field trip meeting locations.

Sessions will be 50% in-person, and 50% virtual classrooms:

• Virtual Classroom Sessions meet from 9am to 11am: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and June 5, 12, 19, 26.

• In-Person Field Sessions meet from 9am to 12pm: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 14, 21, 28.

This course is for adults, ages 18 and up.

• Course participants must have access to the internet for the virtual classroom sessions and be willing to drive to locations throughout Ocean County for the field sessions. Field trip activities will involve moderate physical activity, including hiking, kayaking, and seining in locations such as Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center, Island Beach State Park, and Bass River State Forest to name a few. Field trips will be rain or shine, unless there is extreme weather or otherwise specified.