Master Naturalist Class
BYCINDARAMAY

The Mountains of North Georgia are blessed with naturally beautiful atributes.

Every place in the world has a share of Nature's abundance and beauty. No locale is more blessed with Nature's largesse than the Mountains of North Georgia. People who admire this beauty and seek to better understand both the whole and the individual components of this beauty are called naturalists. In response to growing demands for understanding, the University of Georgia has developed lesson plans to teach interested people about nature, its components and how these parts interrelate. People who complete this course of study are recognized as Master Naturalists by the State of Georgia.

On April 26 at Vogel State Park near Blairsville the first class was held for students wishing to become Master Naturalists. Classes were organized by Mickey Cummings, Union County Extension Agent. This program was held for environmentally concerned citizens. These participants are interested in the beauty and protection of the North Georgia Mountains.

Other classes were held at Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center. These classes ran for seven weeks. This course included topics such as ecology, insect and plant pests, birds, soil types and conservation, bees, plant identification, trees (identification, size health, etc.), urban forestry, wildlife and agriculture. Field trips were conducted by Mr. Cummings to augment the course work. The 28 people attending this class will receive Master Naturalist Certificates. Upon completion of this series of classes a Low Country Boil meal was prepared by Mickey Cummings and Towns Country Extension Agent Robert Brewer for all students to enjoy.

(L) Stream surveying was taught to the Naturalists. The Naturalists are stream seining.