Upcoming UMNA Meetings:
Monday, January 19, 2025, 2:00 p.m. Executive Board Meeting. Location: Steve Lewis’ home at 118 Cliffside Trl, Pickens, SC 29671.
Carson will send out a Zoom link one week prior to the meeting for those wishing to join remotely.
Thursday, January 22, 2026. 10:00 a.m. General Meeting. Program Speaker: Mitch Brantley, SC Falconry Association; Location: Duke Wo rld of Energy, 7812 Rochester Hwy, Seneca, SC 29672
Approximately one week prior to the meeting Carson will send out a Zoom invitation for all wishing to attend virtually.
Get Out and GO! Activities
** Be prepared to sign UMNA Injury Waiver and General Release Form at the Go! Activity site **
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Watch for more info in Google related emails. If you would like a UMNA related event, date and time posted on the calendar, please send email to upstatemasternaturalistassoc@gmail.com
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Advanced Training Opportunities:
Aldo Leopold and Your Land Ethic Aldo Leopold is an important figure in American conservation. A Yale-educated forester, he was important in the development of environmental ethics and wildlife management in the US. He referred to the way we relate to the environment as a “land ethic.” Much of his philosophy is embodied in A Sand County Almanac, a series of short essays and stories published as a book in 1949. The book is a must for naturalists. In this advanced class, we will read A Sand County Almanac and meet virtually to discuss the lessons we learn. Then the fun part, you will have an opportunity to meet at one of three locations to discuss the book in person, write your own land ethic, and go on a nature walk. This is a Hybrid Advanced Training that will feature 2 Online Sessions and 1 in-person session (you select the date of the in-person from 3 options) Online Sessions (Optional): 1/29/2026 – Online Discussion – about sections on January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December from the book 2/26/2026 – Online Discussion – about sections on Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa, Arizona and New Mexico, Chihuahua and Sonora, Oregon and Utah, Manitoba In-Person Session Options: For in-person meeting, pick one place below and be prepared to discuss sections on Conservation Esthetic, Wildlife in American Culture, Wilderness, and The Land Ethic. A shelter with adjacent bathrooms is reserved for each park. 3/13/2026 – Santee State Park – 10:00-2:00 3/19/2026 – Lansford Canal State Park – 10:00-2:00 3/25/2026 – Lake Greenwood State Park – 10:00-2:00 Registration: $60.00 Park Entrance Fee: $8.00/person (not included in registration) or Park Pass Book: Any version will do, but I prefer A Sand County Almanac : With Essays on Conservation from Round River ISBN-10: 0345345053 (not included in registration) Aldo Leopold AT – Registration |
| Save the Date for Future Advanced Trainings: Invasive Species Workshop for Master Naturalists – January 13th Join Clemson Extension Specialist, Dr. David Coyle, to learn about invasive species and forest health. Dr. David Coyle is a Clemson Extension Specialist and Professor with a focus in invasive species and forest health Topics Include: What is an invasive species? Invasive fungi in the southeastern U.S. Invasive vertebrates Invasive insects (and other arthropods) Date: January 13th Location: Clemson Extension TEACH Center – Charleston, SC Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Cost: $35 Coastal Zone Advanced Training Hours Invasives for Master Naturalists – 1/13 No Leaves, No Problem Advanced Training No Leaves, No Problem AT – January 23rd SC Coastal Plain Ecology – February 4th-6th Coastal Plain Ecology – Feb 4-6th Early 2026 – Lichens – Blue Ridge Save the Date for Future SCMN Advanced Trainings: Birds & Blooms April 1st – Galvins Ferry State Park April 9th – Aiken State Park May 1st – Oconee Station Historic Site April 1 – Invasive Species – Clemson, SC April 2nd – Invasive Species – Clemson, SC |
| Webinar/ Online Opportunities: Master Rain Gardener Online Course Master Rain Gardener is a program focused on designing and installing rain gardens and rainwater harvesting systems. The Letter of Completion Track is intended for home gardeners, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, and other residential audiences. To receive a Letter of Completion, individuals must complete four weeks of Master Rain Gardener online course content, complete hands-on class assignments, and pass weekly quizzes. The Online Course will open on March 9th and features 4 self-paced modules. Master Naturalists can use promo code ‘garden‘ for $50 off! MRG counts for 10 Hours of Advanced Training Hours |
| Volunteer Opportunities: |
Conestee Nature Preserve: There’s always something to do at Conestee (CNP). Want to have fun with children and learn some great interpretation skills from the CNP Education staff? Consider volunteering to support field trips. Contact Jim@ConesteePreserve.org to indicate that you are interested in helping. Counts as advanced training, too!
SCNPS Upstate: Volunteers are always needed. https://scnps.org/
Friends of Bald Rock Heritage Preserve: Sign up on the FoBR website and watch for emails from UMNA, https://friendsofbaldrock.com/
Holly Springs Center. Requests naturalist-educator help for elementary school field trips. The volunteer would teach the same 45 minute class 3 times for sections of the group. Teach a topic you are passionate about. Contact: Pauline Blackstone at blackspm1@outlook.comor 864-915-1472. https://www.hollyspringscenter.com/
Pickens County Museum Native Plant Garden: email Carol Asalon at carol.asalon@furman.edu for more information. https://pickenscountylibrarysystem.com/
upstatemasternaturalists.org 