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Florida Master Naturalist Program

Florida Master Naturalist Program

photo of two people sitting and fishing under a blue sky

FMNP Friends Groups

FMNP Friends Groups (e.g. "Friends of…", "Friend Chapters", etc.) are organized groups of FMNP Graduates and Instructors with a desire to stay engaged, volunteer, and become more involved in environmental events and projects in their communities, even after they have completed their FMNP Courses. Field trips, speaker series, beach clean-ups, event tabling, and other conservation activities are often hosted by FMNP Friends Groups.

These grassroots groups are created and managed by the participants themselves, with facilitation of a local FMNP Instructor. The role of the Facilitator is only to provide oversight and ensure that Friends Group operations are within the spirit of the Florida Master Naturalist Program and comply with UF/IFAS standards.

The FMNP State Office supports Friends Groups and recognizes the important role they play in extending the mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program. Any group using the FMNP as a premise for organized events or activities is expected to submit the required paperwork to become an official FMNP Friends Group.

The FMNP seeks to understand the tremendous impact it has across the state. To do this, we ask Friends Groups to report their activities and accomplishments on a regular basis.

To establish a new FMNP Friends Group, follow the Friends Group Checklist.

Reference the by-laws from our Friends Group in Pinellas County to help guide your group: Example By-Laws from the Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists.

photo of pelicans on a rocky shore

Find a Friends Group

Note: Friends Group engagement is not limited to those counties listed here! If you do not live in a county listed below, you are more than welcome to join any Friends Group near you.

North Florida

  • Northwest Florida Panhandle Friends
    Counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton
    Email
  • Northeast Florida Master Naturalists
    Counties: Nassau, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Baker, Bradford, Flagler
    Email | Website | Facebook

West-Central Floirda

  • Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists
    County: Pinellas
    FMNP Facilitator(s): Jeanne Murphy and Brian Lane
    Email  |  Website  |  Facebook
    Notes: Monthly board meetings, Monthly field trips, quarterly public educational programs, and booth events throughout the year.
  • Suncoast Friends Chapter of the FMNP
    Counties: Sarasota and Charlotte
    FMNP Facilitator(s): Katherine Clements and Jamie Reynolds
    Email  |  Website

Central Florida

  • Mid-Florida Friends of the FMNP
    Counties: Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola
    Facebook  |  Website

East-Central Florida

  • Friends of Volusia County FMNP
    County: Volusia
    FMNP Facilitator: David Griffis
    Email
  • Space Coast Regional Friends Group
    Counties: Brevard, Volusia, Indian River
    FMNP Facilitator: Holly Abeels
    Email  |  Website  |  Facebook  | Instagram

South Florida

  • Florida Master Naturalist St. Lucie Chapter
    County: St. Lucie
    FMNP Facilitator: Ken Gioeli
    Email  |  Website  |  Facebook
    Notes: Quarterly meetings. 
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Florida Master Naturalist Program
110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611
352-294-0497

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