DLAM Naturalists hold graduation
The Diamond Lakes chapter of the Arkansas Master Naturalists recently graduated 10 naturalists-in-training at a lunch and graduation ceremony at Lake Ouachita State Park. Naturalists-in-training must complete 40 hours of training that includes classroom and field identification hikes on various subjects.
Those who completed training and graduated as new Arkansas Master Naturalists are Laurie Hartshorn, Carol Morgan, Alan Lax, Mary Schrieks, Gail McKee, Brenda Ketcher, Cal Jones, Warren Hartshorn, Bill Randel and Alan Atkins.
Arkansas Master Naturalists are people who support conservation efforts, who are motivated to learn about the natural resources in their communities and who wish to share that knowledge with others through volunteer work. The Diamond Lakes Chapter members are active in several projects that include helping to build and maintain trails on U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Corps of Engineers and National Park lands, helping to maintain natural areas in partnership with the Arkansas National Heritage Commission, volunteering as interpreters for nature programs at city, state and federal facilities, conducting animal and plant surveys and helping to eradicate non-native, invasive plants in natural areas.
The Arkansas Master Naturalists organization currently has seven chapters in the state. The Diamond Lakes Chapter covers the Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village, Arkadelphia, Mount Ida and Glenwood area.
For information on how to join the Diamond Lakes Arkansas Master Naturalist chapter, visit the statewide website at http://wordpress.arkansasmasternaturalists.org or email Dan Smith at dksmith11@hotmail.com.