Diamond Lakes Arkansas Master Naturalists graduation
The Diamond Lakes chapter of the Arkansas Master Naturalists graduated 10 Naturalists in training at a lunch and graduation ceremony held at Entergy Park in the Pond Pavilion. Naturalists in training must complete 40 hours of training that includes both classroom and field identification hikes on various subjects.
Those who completed the training and graduated as new Arkansas Master Naturalists are Roxie Adams, Chris Baber, Spencer Bailey, Rita Brantner, Stephanie Engledowl, Nel Furgerson, Lynn Pellegrino, Star Riparetti, Brady Rowe and Terry Thomason.
Arkansas Master Naturalists are people who support conservation efforts, are motivated to learn about the natural resources in their communities and 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 nonnative, invasive plants in natural areas. The chapter has also adopted the Butterfly Garden located on the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail.
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 areas.
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.