FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Connecticut Audubon Society’s Center at Fairfield congratulates the graduates of the fall 2017 Master Naturalist Training Program.
On November 8, the 20 class members, from communities throughout Connecticut, received their certificates after completing more than 40 hours of both classroom and field training led by environmental education and conservation professionals from around the state. Graduates will now start applying their knowledge and skills in varied volunteer capacities at the Center at Fairfield and other Connecticut Audubon centers. From assisting with nature walks and education events, to, helping behind the scenes in the office, nature store and with animal care, the Master Naturalists will contribute their time to a wide variety of projects and activities tailored to their own interests.
Master Naturalist training is for people of all experience levels who want to expand their knowledge of the habitats, plants, animals and natural history of their local communities. It offers the rewards of sharing that knowledge through teaching others about the stewardship of our natural resources, and it provides the opportunity to meet, and work with, those who share the same interests and concerns.
Rick Boucher, the Center at Fairfield’s director of operations, praised the Master Naturalist graduates saying, “Our community will benefit greatly from the time, effort and enthusiasm these class members have put into their training. Their contributions as educators and conservationists will inspire others to feel a greater connection to the beauty and wonder of Connecticut’s natural resources and understand the importance of preserving it on any scale, from protected sanctuaries to local backyards.”
The Connecticut Audubon Society conserves Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and habitats. Founded in 1898, Connecticut Audubon operates nature facilities in Fairfield, Milford, Glastonbury, Pomfret, Hampton, and Sherman, a center in Old Lyme, and an EcoTravel office in Essex. Connecticut Audubon Society also manages 19 wildlife sanctuaries around the state, preserves 3,300 acres of open space in Connecticut and educates over 200,000 children and adults annually.
Graduates of the Connecticut Audubon Society’s fall 2017 Master Naturalist Training Program are:
(seated, from left) Richard Diedrichsen, Jennifer Salkin, Colleen Noyes, Nancy Moon, Stephanie Gerlach, Peggy Magdon; (standing, from left) Maureen O’Brien, Fran Ellesio, Catherine Graham, Jim Cortina, Jim Wood, Anne McNulty, Michelle Sikorski, Tom McCabe, Carolyn Book, Diane Nizlek, Debra Perez, Bob Stobierski; (missing from photo) Ron Blanchard, Mariliz Licata.
Graduates of Connecticut Audubon’s fall 2017 Master Naturalist Training Program in Fairfield listed by town they reside in:
Bethany: Maureen O’Brien
Bridgeport: Debra Perez
Danbury: Diane Nizlek, Michelle Sikorski
Darien: Susan MacKenzie
Derby: Bob Stobierski
Fairfield: Stephanie Gerlach, Nancy Moon, Jim Wood
Guilford: Fran Ellesio
Milford: Catherine Graham, Peggy Magdon
Naugatuck: Thomas McCabe
Norwalk: Mariliz Licata
Oakville: Ron Blanchard
Old Saybrook
& Cheshire: Anne McNulty
Redding: Jennifer Salkin
Stratford: Richard Diedrichsen
Trumbull: Carolyn Book, Jim Cortina