Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer the Iowa Master Conservationist Program starting May 16.

The program will take place at different locations within Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster and Pocahontas counties, providing participants with hands-on interaction showing the diversity of the state’s natural resources.

The program teaches about Iowa’s natural ecosystems and the diversity of conservation challenges and opportunities within the region. Graduates of the course learn to make informed choices for leading and educating others to improve conservation in Iowa.

The program consists of approximately 12 hours of online curriculum and seven weekly three-hour face-to-face meetings. The online modules will include lessons and resources by Iowa State University subject-matter experts to be reviewed at the participants’ own pace at home or at the ISU Extension and Outreach County office.

Module topics include conservation history and science, understanding Iowa ecosystems, implementing conservation practices in human dominated landscapes and developing skills to help educate others about conservation practices.

The face-to-face meetings held on Tuesday evenings will build on the online lessons. The program schedule is as follows:

• May 16 — John F. Kennedy Park, Fort Dodge for introductions to the program.

• May 23 — Learn about Setting the Stage: Land, Water and Conservation in Iowa near Renwick.

• May 30 — Brushy Creek to learn about prairies.

• June 6 — Joe Sheldon Park in Humboldt County for forests.

• June 13 — Smeltzer Farm for aquatic environments.

• June 20 — Briggs Woods near Webster City to hear about watersheds.

• June 27 — Lizard Lake in Pocahontas County for Planting the Seeds of Conservation.

All programs are from 6-9 p.m. Each face-to-face meeting will be led by local subject-matter experts to demonstrate how the principles covered in the online curriculum play out locally.

Registration for the course is $125 and includes all materials and refreshments and is due at the time of registration. Register is due online by May 9 at: https://go.iastate.edu/KGTWOZ

For more information, contact Webster County Extension, 515-576-2119; Hamilton County Extension, 515-832-9597; Pocahontas County Extension, 712-335-3103 or Humboldt County Extension, 515-332-2201.

Master Conservationist Program (MCP) participants are now able to earn AEA license renewal credits for participation in the program.

Licensed teachers that are in need of renewal credits can earn two credits for going through the program.

Registration through AEA and an additional $70 fee to AEA are required. A short reflection on your experience in MCP and what you learned will be used to grade your participation.