Thursday, October 29, 11:30 am. Class of 2026 Graduation Meal. Holly Springs Center. Carson Johnson will coordinate luncheon.
Looking Ahead for Meetings:
Monday, November 16, 2:00 p.m. Executive Board Meeting. Location: TBD
ZOOM link will be sent a week prior to the meeting
Thursday, November 19, 10:00 Annual Meeting and covered dish social: Speakers: “Table Rock Fire of 2025 and Current Status” by Austin Williams and Carson Barefoot from Greenville Water.
Location: South Cove Park, 1099 South Cove Rd, Seneca, SC 29672
ZOOM link will be sent a week prior to the meeting
Monday, January 18, 2027, 2:00 p.m. Executive Board Meeting. Location: TBD
ZOOM link will be sent a week prior to the meeting
Thursday, January 22, 2027, 10:00 a.m. Program Meeting: Tricia Kyzer “Patterns in Nature”
Location: SC Botanical Garden Hayden Center, 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC 29634
ZOOM link will be sent a week prior to the meeting
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Get Out and GO! Activities:
** Be prepared to sign UMNA Injury Waiver and General Release Form at the Go! Activity site **
October 31 – Trail Magic @ Pilzners (Jane & Don)
Hike and Happy Hour as follows: Meet at Silver Steps parking lot at 2PM for hike. Meet at
mountain house at 5PM for Happy Hour. Grilling burgers & potluck from 6:30-7 followed by a
campfire. Overnight accommodations can be arraigned. Betsy Lewis is the contact person for
this event.
Other possible hikes to be added at a later date
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:
 Fall Ecology Advanced Training October 27th, 2026 Join us as we discover the fall season in South Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains! Come explore a Montane Oak-Hickory Forest and observe the plants and animals that live in this high elevation community. We will also discuss the geology of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and how the topography of the area influences the ecology of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The training will take place at Caesars Head State Park. Register by calling the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area between 10am and 4:30pm daily at 864-836-6115. The course fee of $65 includes a field guide, course materials and instruction. General Schedule · 8:45 – 9:00 Check-in at Caesars Head Visitor Center · 9:00 – 9:30 Introduction · 9:30 – 11:45 Montane Oak- Hickory Forest Community · 11:45 – 12:15 Lunch · 12:15 – 2:30 Blue Ridge Escarpment Students are responsible for meals and transportation to study sites. Tim Lee, Interpretive Ranger/Naturalist Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Cleveland, SC 29635 Contact: tlee@scprt.com 864-836-6115 Register by calling the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area between 10am and 4:30pm daily at 864-836-6115. This class counts for the Blue Ridge Eco-region *********************************************************************** Southeastern Master Naturalist Continuing Education Series (SEMNCES) January Webinar – Carolina Bays with Dr. Austin Jenkins! Save the Dates for our upcoming 2026 SEMNCES Webinar Series! Topics are subject to change. Registration will be sent out each month! October 27th at 7:00 PM – Wetland Birds in the Southeast November 20th at 12:00 PM – Turtle Diversity December 15th at 7:00 PM – American Chestnut or Mosquitos Save the Date for Future Advanced Trainings Coastal Plain Ecology – February 2-5 |
Webinar/ Online Opportunities: FREE Online Short Course |
| Open Registrations: Fungi & Their Decomposing Allies October 23rd 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Anne Springs Greenway Come learn about decomposers as we dive into the Ecology of the Forest Floor. We will discuss the role of decomposers, identify the different kingdoms and phyla that fall under this important role within the forest ecosystem. After a short discussion we will invest the remainer of the time searching the forest for fungal specimens with our guests; ecologist Andy Kane and mushroom enthusiasts, Slawomir Opuszko. This program qualifies for 3 hours towards your Master Naturalist Advanced Training annual requirements. Fungi – 10/23 Autumn Photoperiod Effects in Animals and Plants November 6 9:30-12:00 PM Anne Springs Greenway How does the seasonal change in day length caused by the Earth’s tilt, trigger biological responses in plants and animals? Annual events such as senescence, hibernation, migration, and brumation are biological responses to seasonal change in the proportion of light and dark, known as photoperiodism. Presentation by Dr. Larry Leamy emphasizing how both plants and animals respond to shortened day length to ensure that growth, survival and reproductive success occur at the most favorable times of year. This program qualifies for 2.5 hours towards your Master Naturalist Advanced Training annual requirements. Photoperiod – November 6 |
Call for Volunteers!
Enoree Ranger District Covey Call Volunteers Needed!
The joyous task of waking up early to count quail coveys is just around the corner and Seth Sofferin from Quail Forever needs as much help as you’re able to spare.
Below are a list of dates, survey sites, and number of points. Ideally, we would fill every point per survey day so that location and repetition would be complete. Seth would do a practice round with people interested in participating to ensure consistency and will plan that once he has an idea of participants. Pointing or flushing dogs are welcome to join on survey mornings to estimate the number of birds/covey. Please respond with the day(s) you’re available and would like to participate. Let Seth know if you’d like to participate, but these days don’t work for you. Some dates and locations may change depending on participation.
October 20th : Indian Creek Focal and Reference Area – 7 points (not going to attempt the points on Asia’s Branch past the washout)
October 22nd: Delta – 12 points
October 27th: Larger Indian Creek Wildlife Area – 21 points
October 29th: Delta – 12 points
November 3rd: Indian Creek Focal and Reference Area – 7 points (not going to attempt the points on Asia’s Branch past the washout) (This survey will be after the time changes)
The meeting location for Indian Creek Focal, Reference, and Wildlife Area surveys will be the Enoree Ranger District Office (20 Work Center Road, Whitmire, SC 29178). The meeting location for Delta surveys will be the kiosk across from the shop (34.542559, -81.565738).
Attached is a brief protocol for a refresher to ensure you know what you’re getting into
Please email Seth Sofferin if you are interested in helping!
ssofferin@quailforever.org
Email Seth Sofferin from Quail Forever
Bobwhite Call Count Procedure
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/
