OHIO CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER NATURALIST PROGRAM (OCVN)

1. OHIO CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER NATURALIST PROGRAM(OCVN) Howard J. Siegrist, Extension Educator, The Ohio State University Extension, Licking County J. P. Lieser, Extension Educator, Watershed Management, The Ohio State University Extension Kayla Hughes, Program Assistant, The Ohio State University, Licking County

3. When: • 11-week program, 3/13/07—5/22/07 • Tuesdays 5:30—8:30 pm • Saturdays 9:00 am—2:00 pm (4/28, 5/19) • Where: • Licking County Extension Office • 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 • Newark, OH 43055 • Phone: 740-670-5315 • Fax: 740-670-5317 • OR • The Dawes Arboretum • 7770 Jacksontown Rd., SE • Newark, OH 43055 • Cost: $125.00 • Notebooks, handouts, class outlines and other resources will be provided. • Applications available on the web site: • http://licking.osu.edu or to request an • application for sign up, contact: • Howard Siegrist at 740-670-5315 or • siegrist.1@osu.edu or • Kayla Hughes at 740-670-5325 or • hughes.6@osu.edu or • J.P. Lieser at 740-258-7738 or • lieser8@ag.osu.edu • If application is accepted, a background check will be required at volunteer’s expense. Session topics: Program Orientation Ecological Concepts Best Education Practices Nature Interpretation Geology & Soils Stewardship Aquatic Life & Watersheds Plants Trees & Forests Insects Reptiles & Amphibians Birds Mammals • When: • 11-week program, 3/13/07—5/22/07 • Tuesdays 5:30—8:30 pm • Saturdays 9:00 am—2:00 pm (4/28, 5/19) • Where: • Licking County Extension Office • 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 • Newark, OH 43055 • Phone: 740-670-5315 • Fax: 740-670-5317 • OR • The Dawes Arboretum • 7770 Jacksontown Rd., SE • Newark, OH 43055 • Cost: $125.00 • Notebooks, handouts, class outlines and other resources will be provided. • Applications available on the web site: • http://licking.osu.edu or to request an • application for sign up, contact: • Howard Siegrist at 740-670-5315 or • siegrist.1@osu.edu or • Kayla Hughes at 740-670-5325 or • hughes.6@osu.edu or • J.P. Lieser at 740-258-7738 or • lieser8@ag.osu.edu • If application is accepted, a background check will be required at volunteer’s expense. The Training: Session topics: Program Orientation Ecological Concepts Best Education Practices Nature Interpretation Geology & Soils Stewardship Aquatic Life & Watersheds Plants Trees & Forests Insects Reptiles & Amphibians Birds Mammals • When: • 11-week program, 3/13/07—5/22/07 • Tuesdays 5:30—8:30 pm • Saturdays 9:00 am—2:00 pm (4/28, 5/19) • Where: • Licking County Extension Office • 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 • Newark, OH 43055 • Phone: 740-670-5315 • Fax: 740-670-5317 • OR • The Dawes Arboretum • 7770 Jacksontown Rd., SE • Newark, OH 43055 • Cost: $125.00 • Notebooks, handouts, class outlines and other resources will be provided. • Applications available on the web site: • http://licking.osu.edu or to request an • application for sign up, contact: • Howard Siegrist at 740-670-5315 or • siegrist.1@osu.edu or • Kayla Hughes at 740-670-5325 or • hughes.6@osu.edu or • J.P. Lieser at 740-258-7738 or • lieser8@ag.osu.edu • If application is accepted, a background check will be required at volunteer’s expense. The Training: Session topics: Program Orientation Ecological Concepts Best Education Practices Nature Interpretation Geology & Soils Stewardship Aquatic Life & Watersheds Plants Trees & Forests Insects Reptiles & Amphibians Birds Mammals • When: • 11-week program, 3/13/07—5/22/07 • Tuesdays 5:30—8:30 pm • Saturdays 9:00 am—2:00 pm (4/28, 5/19) • Where: • Licking County Extension Office • 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 • Newark, OH 43055 • Phone: 740-670-5315 • Fax: 740-670-5317 • OR • The Dawes Arboretum • 7770 Jacksontown Rd., SE • Newark, OH 43055 • Cost: $125.00 • Notebooks, handouts, class outlines and other resources will be provided. • Applications available on the web site: • http://licking.osu.edu or to request an • application for sign up, contact: • Howard Siegrist at 740-670-5315 or • siegrist.1@osu.edu or • Kayla Hughes at 740-670-5325 or • hughes.6@osu.edu or • J.P. Lieser at 740-258-7738 or • lieser8@ag.osu.edu • If application is accepted, a background check will be required at volunteer’s expense. The Training: Session topics: Program Orientation Ecological Concepts Best Education Practices Nature Interpretation Geology & Soils Stewardship Aquatic Life & Watersheds Plants Trees & Forests Insects Reptiles & Amphibians Birds Mammals • When: • 11-week program, 3/13/07—5/22/07 • Tuesdays 5:30—8:30 pm • Saturdays 9:00 am—2:00 pm (4/28, 5/19) • Where: • Licking County Extension Office • 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 • Newark, OH 43055 • Phone: 740-670-5315 • Fax: 740-670-5317 • OR • The Dawes Arboretum • 7770 Jacksontown Rd., SE • Newark, OH 43055 • Cost: $125.00 • Notebooks, handouts, class outlines and other resources will be provided. • Applications available on the web site: • http://licking.osu.edu or to request an • application for sign up, contact: • Howard Siegrist at 740-670-5315 or • siegrist.1@osu.edu or • Kayla Hughes at 740-670-5325 or • hughes.6@osu.edu or • J.P. Lieser at 740-258-7738 or • lieser8@ag.osu.edu • If application is accepted, a background check will be required at volunteer’s expense. The Training: Session topics: Program Orientation Ecological Concepts Best Education Practices Nature Interpretation Geology & Soils Stewardship Aquatic Life & Watersheds Plants Trees & Forests Insects Reptiles & Amphibians Birds Mammals • When: • 11-week program, 3/13/07—5/22/07 • Tuesdays 5:30—8:30 pm • Saturdays 9:00 am—2:00 pm (4/28, 5/19) • Where: • Licking County Extension Office • 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 • Newark, OH 43055 • Phone: 740-670-5315 • Fax: 740-670-5317 • OR • The Dawes Arboretum • 7770 Jacksontown Rd., SE • Newark, OH 43055 • Cost: $125.00 • Notebooks, handouts, class outlines and other resources will be provided. • Applications available on the web site: • http://licking.osu.edu or to request an • application for sign up, contact: • Howard Siegrist at 740-670-5315 or • siegrist.1@osu.edu or • Kayla Hughes at 740-670-5325 or • hughes.6@osu.edu or • J.P. Lieser at 740-258-7738 or • lieser8@ag.osu.edu • If application is accepted, a background check will be required at volunteer’s expense. The Training: Session topics: Program Orientation Ecological Concepts Best Education Practices Nature Interpretation Geology & Soils Stewardship Aquatic Life & Watersheds Plants Trees & Forests Insects Reptiles & Amphibians Birds Mammals • The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training includes 40+ hours of classroom and field based instruction—with an emphasis on local ecosystems—conducted by experts in: • Ecology • Aquatic life & watersheds • Trees and forest management • Birds • Geology • Many other fields • After Graduation: • Volunteer Naturalists continue their education with eight hours of advanced training a year and 40 hours of service in local activities like: • Nature Trail Development • Wildlife Surveys • Educational Presentations • Land Restoration • Demonstration Projects The Training: • The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training includes 40+ hours of classroom and field based instruction—with an emphasis on local ecosystems—conducted by experts in: • Ecology • Aquatic life & watersheds • Trees and forest management • Birds • Geology • Many other fields • After Graduation: • Volunteer Naturalists continue their education with eight hours of advanced training a year and 40 hours of service in local activities like: • Nature Trail Development • Wildlife Surveys • Educational Presentations • Land Restoration • Demonstration Projects • The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training includes 40+ hours of classroom and field based instruction—with an emphasis on local ecosystems—conducted by experts in: • Ecology • Aquatic life & watersheds • Trees and forest management • Birds • Geology • Many other fields • After Graduation: • Volunteer Naturalists continue their education with eight hours of advanced training a year and 40 hours of service in local activities like: • Nature Trail Development • Wildlife Surveys • Educational Presentations • Land Restoration • Demonstration Projects • The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training includes 40+ hours of classroom and field based instruction—with an emphasis on local ecosystems—conducted by experts in: • Ecology • Aquatic life & watersheds • Trees and forest management • Birds • Geology • Many other fields • After Graduation: • Volunteer Naturalists continue their education with eight hours of advanced training a year and 40 hours of service in local activities like: • Nature Trail Development • Wildlife Surveys • Educational Presentations • Land Restoration • Demonstration Projects • The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training includes 40+ hours of classroom and field based instruction—with an emphasis on local ecosystems—conducted by experts in: • Ecology • Aquatic life & watersheds • Trees and forest management • Birds • Geology • Many other fields • After Graduation: • Volunteer Naturalists continue their education with eight hours of advanced training a year and 40 hours of service in local activities like: • Nature Trail Development • Wildlife Surveys • Educational Presentations • Land Restoration • Demonstration Projects • The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training includes 40+ hours of classroom and field based instruction—with an emphasis on local ecosystems—conducted by experts in: • Ecology • Aquatic life & watersheds • Trees and forest management • Birds • Geology • Many other fields • After Graduation: • Volunteer Naturalists continue their education with eight hours of advanced training a year and 40 hours of service in local activities like: • Nature Trail Development • Wildlife Surveys • Educational Presentations • Land Restoration • Demonstration Projects OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OSU Extension Licking County 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 Newark, Ohio, 43055 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OSU Extension Licking County 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 Newark, Ohio, 43055 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION OSU Extension Licking County 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 Newark, Ohio, 43055 OSU Extension Licking County 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 Newark, Ohio, 43055 Phone: 740-670-5315 Fax: 740-670-5317 Email: lick@ag.osu.edu OSU Extension Licking County 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 Newark, Ohio, 43055 Phone: 740-670-5315 Fax: 740-670-5317 Email: lick@ag.osu.edu OSU Extension Licking County 771 East Main Street, Suite 103 Newark, Ohio, 43055 Phone: 740-670-5315 Fax: 740-670-5317 Email: lick@ag.osu.edu Phone: 740-670-5315 Fax: 740-670-5317 Email: lick@ag.osu.edu Phone: 740-670-5315 Fax: 740-670-5317 Email: lick@ag.osu.edu Phone: 740-670-5315 Fax: 740-670-5317 Email: lick@ag.osu.edu

4. The OCVN program is organized by Ohio State University Extension in cooperation with a state steering committee. The committee is made up of dedicated individuals from the following organizations: The Ohio State University Extension The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio Sea Grant Five Rivers Metro Parks (Dayton) Ohio Master Gardeners Audubon Ohio Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (OBCI) Hancock County Parks City of Dublin Parks

5. Program Mission • The mission of the OCVN program is to promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio’s natural resources through science-based education and community service.

6. Purpose • The OCVN program is a volunteer educational program designed to meet the natural resource education needs of the citizens of Ohio. Its purpose is to train volunteers and use their expertise to teach people more about Ohio’s natural resources and their importance to our quality of life. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists provide service to their local natural resource organizations so that their activities and programs can be more effectively and efficiently delivered to the general public.

7. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist trainees receive formal training from their local partnership covering a wide range of pertinent natural resource topics. To become an OCVN, the trainee must be accepted into the program, complete the training component, pass the required exam, and volunteer for the specified number of hours.

10. Ohio State University Extension The Ohio State University Ohio Certified Volunteer NATURALIST Volunteer Applicant Involvement Packet For Use With All Potential Ohio Certified Volunteer naturalists Documents Included: Welcome letter OCVN Program Policy Statement OCVN Volunteer Position Description OCVN Volunteer Application OCVN Standards of Behavior Reference Copy for Volunteer Copy to Sign and Return

11. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program Policy Statement Purpose The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) Program is a volunteer educational program designed to meet the natural resource education needs of the citizens of Ohio. Its purpose is to train volunteers and utilize their expertise to teach people more about Ohio’s natural resources, and their importance to our quality of life. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program volunteers provide service to their local natural resource organizations so that their activities and programs can be more effectively and efficiently delivered to Ohio's public. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist trainees receive formal training from their local partnership covering a wide range of pertinent natural resource topics. To become an OCVN, the trainee must complete the training program, pass the required exam, and volunteer the specified number of hours to the program. The volunteer commitment may be fulfilled in a number of different ways depending on the determined needs of the local chapter. After the completion of the initial required volunteer time, volunteers are encouraged to continue to assist with natural resource program delivery as an OCVN volunteer. The State OCVN Steering Committee develops policies and guidelines for the operation of the program and provides some training and recognition materials, and other resources for chapters conducting the program. On the local level, the program is coordinated by an OCVN coordinator or committee.

12. Volunteer Commitment and Certification The OCVN state steering committee has established the following minimum requirement for certification. However, the local chapters may opt to exceed these minimum requirements. 40 hours of combined classroom and field instruction. 40 hours of approved volunteer service projects. After certification, recertification requires 20 hours volunteer service and 8 hours advanced training annually. Local programs will be organized by chapter. Local partners will be responsible for providing leadership to chapter including volunteer service projects.

13. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) Program Introduction Chapter 2: Ecological Concepts Chapter 3: Best Education Practices Chapter 4: The Art of Nature Interpretation Chapter 5: Exploring Ohio’s Watersheds Chapter 6: Aquatic Life Chapter 7: Stewardship Chapter 8: Geology Chapter 9: Soils Chapter 10: Plants Chapter 11: Forests Chapter 12: Entomology (Insects) and Other Macro invertebrates Chapter 13: Herpetology (Reptiles and Amphibians) Chapter 14: Ornithology (Birds) Chapter 15: Mammals Biographies of Authors and Steering Committee Members

14. 2007 Class Results • 18 class members began the class on March 13, 2007. • There was a pre-test of general natural resource information. The mean score was 79%. • All of the pre-test questions were included as part of the end of course examination. The post-test mean score was 83%. • 17 class members were able to complete the 40+ hours of instruction, pass the examination with 70% or better, and receive a completion certificate on May 22, 2007. • The mean score on the final examination was 93%. • The high score was 100% • The low score was 78%.

15. Tom Beckett 2007 22nd May

16. Volunteer Hours • Class members need to complete 40 volunteer hours by May, 2008, to become fully certified as an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. • As of July 12, 2007, seven class members have completed a total of 122 volunteer hours. One class member has already completed 51 volunteer hours and therefore is fully certified as a Volunteer Naturalist. • Projects have included: • 1. Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas • 2. Hawk banding • 3. Planning and planting a rain garden • 4. Wetland restoration • 5. Butterfly tracking • 6. Leading night hikes • 7. Checking blue bird trails

17. Partner Agencies • OSU Extension, Licking County • Ohio Department of Natural Resources • Soil and Water Conservation District, Licking County • Dawes Arboretum • Licking Park District • Licking Land Trust • Local Schools • Ohio Nature Education • Camp Ohio

18. David Greer 29th June 2007