<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2vkKPr_1H3mGITl00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2vkKPr_1H3mGITl00" width="729" height="720" ><figcaption>North Central Arkansas Master Naturalist trail volunteers include Pam Cook, Debbie and Mike Rees and Tom Kennedy. (Submitted Photo)</figcaption></figure>If you would you like to help keep the natural state natural with a band of volunteers in one of the most beautiful regions of Arkansas, North Central Arkansas Master Naturalists (NCAMN) are seeking new members as they clear hiking trails, plant and nurture wildflowers, analyze creek water chemistry, gather information during birding and butterfly excursions, teach youngsters and their families about nature, and/or learn about rocks, trees, butterflies, stars and much more.NCAMN welcomes new members — Naturalists-in-Training (NiTs) — every January with a course taught by top-notch experts on Arkansas’s wildlife, including plants, animals, rocks and even stars.“Master Naturalists have a lot of fun as we work and play in Ozark woods and waterways,” said NCAMN President Margie Smotherman. “We are always thrilled when new members join us.”To learn more about NCAMN, email Smotherman at ncamn.contact@gmail.com or visit arkansasmasternaturalists.orgThe Naturalist-in-Training (NiT) course begins Jan. 9, 2027,after which the mostly Saturday classes extend through May 1, according to Course Co-Coordinator Mary Beth Piorkowski, ““The course includes both classroom and field training in everything from the rocks below our feet to the stars above our heads and most everything in between,” said Course Coordinator Trisha Blair. TrailsRoy Stovall explained NCAMN clear and beautify 60 miles of local hiking trails annually and occasionally reroute, plan, and construct new trails two to three mornings a month from September to May. Streams“We check both the quality of the water with chemical tests and the health of the stream by temporarily collecting and then counting the small creatures we find in area creeks,” said Stream Co-Leader Bill Holland of Mountain Home. According to Co-Leader Rob Piorkowski, the data collected helps Arkansas Game and Fish Commission establish trends to determine changes in stream health and any need to investigate potential pollution sources upstream. Gardens and nature preservesMany volunteers also enjoy planting and caring for native and other plants in gardens located in Mountain Home, Flippin, Yellville, Calico Rock and Mountain View as well as along the Buffalo National River.“One of our most exciting projects this year has been re-creating gardens at the site of the old Collier Homestead on the Buffalo,” said Dwan Garrison. “We also take care of a wildlife meadow in Flippin and garden plots at Tyler Bend and Buffalo Point.”Other gardens include a pollinator garden on the campus of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, a wildflower meadow in Bull Shoals-White River State Park, native plant gardens at Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center, a pollinator garden in Calico Rock and the Heritage Herb Gardens at the Ozark Folk Center State Park.NCAMN members have also helped create a nature preserve by restoring the former Ozark Isle campground near Oakland. Along with community residents, master naturalists clear trails and roadways and look after native plant beds. It has become an even more popular spot for hikers, bikers, birders and others.Nature educationMaster naturalists offer nature education programming for children and their families at country libraries, public schools and nature centers.Lifelong educationLearning doesn’t stop with the NiT course. The chapter also offers several classes on such topics as native plants, pollinators and other wildlife throughout the year, in and out of classrooms and online. A book club selects books to read and discuss every other month. Birders report to Audubon about species found on several birding expeditions. And for fun, members organize entirely recreational hikes in the area and elsewhere.ContactApplicants may apply online by navigating to arkansasmasternaturalists.org. and clicking “Join AMN” to find the application link. Otherwise, email ncamn.contact@gmail.com to speak to chapter President Smotherman.— Information submitted by Nell Doyle of MCAMN and may be edited for style, content and space.</div></body>

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If you would you like to help keep the natural state natural with a band of volunteers in one of the most beautiful regions of Arkansas, North Central Arkansas Master Naturalists (NCAMN) are seeking new members as they clear hiking trails, plant and nurture wildflowers, analyze creek water chemistry, gather information during birding and butterfly excursions, teach youngsters and their families about nature, and/or learn about rocks, trees, butterflies, stars and much more.

Master Naturalists seek new members

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If you would you like to help keep the natural state natural with a band of volunteers in one of the most beautiful regions of Arkansas, North Central Arka

Master Naturalists seek new members

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