OHIO CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER OHIO CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER NATURALIST PROGRAMNATURALIST PROGRAM

(OCVN)(OCVN)

Howard J. Siegrist, Extension Educator, The Ohio State University Howard J. Siegrist, Extension Educator, The Ohio State University Extension, Licking County Extension, Licking County

J. P. Lieser, Extension Educator, Watershed Management, The Ohio J. P. Lieser, Extension Educator, Watershed Management, The Ohio State University ExtensionState University Extension

Kayla Hughes, Program Assistant, The Ohio State University, Licking Kayla Hughes, Program Assistant, The Ohio State University, Licking CountyCounty

• The OCVN program is organized by Ohio State The OCVN program is organized by Ohio State University Extension in cooperation with a state University Extension in cooperation with a state steering committee. The committee is made up of steering committee. The committee is made up of dedicated individuals from the following dedicated individuals from the following organizations:organizations:

• The Ohio State University Extension The Ohio State University Extension • The Ohio State University School of Environment and The Ohio State University School of Environment and

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources• Ohio Department of Natural ResourcesOhio Department of Natural Resources• Ohio Sea GrantOhio Sea Grant• Five Rivers Metro Parks (Dayton)Five Rivers Metro Parks (Dayton)• Ohio Master GardenersOhio Master Gardeners• Audubon OhioAudubon Ohio• Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (OBCI)Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (OBCI)• Hancock County ParksHancock County Parks• City of Dublin Parks City of Dublin Parks

Program MissionProgram Mission

• The mission of the OCVN program is The mission of the OCVN program is to promote awareness and citizen to promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio’s natural stewardship of Ohio’s natural resources through science-based resources through science-based education and community service.education and community service.

PurposePurpose

• The OCVN program is a volunteer educational The OCVN program is a volunteer educational program designed to meet the natural resource program designed to meet the natural resource education needs of the citizens of Ohio. Its education needs of the citizens of Ohio. Its purpose is to train volunteers and use their purpose is to train volunteers and use their expertise to teach people more about Ohio’s expertise to teach people more about Ohio’s natural resources and their importance to our natural resources and their importance to our quality of life. Ohio Certified Volunteer quality of life. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists provide service to their local natural Naturalists provide service to their local natural resource organizations so that their activities resource organizations so that their activities and programs can be more effectively and and programs can be more effectively and efficiently delivered to the general public. efficiently delivered to the general public.

• Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist trainees receive formal training from trainees receive formal training from their local partnership covering a wide their local partnership covering a wide range of pertinent natural resource range of pertinent natural resource topics. To become an OCVN, the trainee topics. To become an OCVN, the trainee must be accepted into the program, must be accepted into the program, complete the training component, pass complete the training component, pass the required exam, and volunteer for the the required exam, and volunteer for the specified number of hours. specified number of hours.

Ohio State University ExtensionThe Ohio State University

Ohio Certified Volunteer NATURALISTVolunteer ApplicantInvolvement Packet

For Use With AllPotential Ohio Certified Volunteer naturalists

Documents Included:Welcome letter

OCVN Program Policy Statement OCVN Volunteer Position Description

OCVN Volunteer Application OCVN Standards of Behavior

Reference Copy for Volunteer Copy to Sign and Return

Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist ProgramPolicy Statement

PurposeThe Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) Program is a volunteer

educational program designed to meet the natural resource education needs of the citizens of Ohio. Its purpose is to train volunteers and utilize their expertise to teach people more about Ohio’s natural resources, and their

importance to our quality of life. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program volunteers provide service to their local natural resource organizations so that their activities and programs can be more effectively and efficiently

delivered to Ohio's public. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist trainees receive formal training from their local partnership covering a wide range of pertinent natural resource topics. To become an OCVN, the trainee must complete the training program, pass

the required exam, and volunteer the specified number of hours to the program.

The volunteer commitment may be fulfilled in a number of different ways depending on the determined needs of the local chapter. After the

completion of the initial required volunteer time, volunteers are encouraged to continue to assist with natural resource program delivery as an OCVN

volunteer. The State OCVN Steering Committee develops policies and guidelines for the

operation of the program and provides some training and recognition materials, and other resources for chapters conducting the program. On the

local level, the program is coordinated by an OCVN coordinator or committee.

The OCVN state steering committee has established the following minimum requirement for certification. However, the local chapters may opt to exceed these minimum requirements.40 hours of combined classroom and field instruction.40 hours of approved volunteer service projects.After certification, recertification requires 20 hours volunteer service and 8 hours advanced training annually.Local programs will be organized by chapter. Local partners will be responsible for providing leadership to chapter including volunteer service projects.

Volunteer Commitment and Volunteer Commitment and CertificationCertification

Table of ContentsChapter 1: Ohio Certified Volunteer

Naturalist (OCVN) Program IntroductionChapter 2: Ecological ConceptsChapter 3: Best Education PracticesChapter 4: The Art of Nature InterpretationChapter 5: Exploring Ohio’s WatershedsChapter 6: Aquatic LifeChapter 7: StewardshipChapter 8: GeologyChapter 9: SoilsChapter 10: PlantsChapter 11: Forests

Chapter 12: Entomology (Insects) and Other Macro invertebratesChapter 13: Herpetology (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Chapter 14: Ornithology (Birds)Chapter 15: Mammals

Biographies of Authors and Steering Committee Members

2007 Class Results2007 Class Results

• 18 class members began the class on March 13, 2007.18 class members began the class on March 13, 2007.• There was a pre-test of general natural resource There was a pre-test of general natural resource

information. The mean score was 79%.information. The mean score was 79%.• All of the pre-test questions were included as part of All of the pre-test questions were included as part of

the end of course examination. The post-test mean the end of course examination. The post-test mean score was 83%. score was 83%.

• 17 class members were able to complete the 40+ 17 class members were able to complete the 40+ hours of instruction, pass the examination with 70% hours of instruction, pass the examination with 70% or better, and receive a completion certificate on May or better, and receive a completion certificate on May 22, 2007.22, 2007.

• The mean score on the final examination was 93%.The mean score on the final examination was 93%.• The high score was 100%The high score was 100%• The low score was 78%.The low score was 78%.

22nd May 2007

Tom Beckett

Volunteer HoursVolunteer Hours

• Class members need to complete 40 volunteer hours by May, Class members need to complete 40 volunteer hours by May, 2008, to become fully certified as an Ohio Certified Volunteer 2008, to become fully certified as an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.Naturalist.

• As of July 12, 2007, seven class members have completed a As of July 12, 2007, seven class members have completed a total of 122 volunteer hours. One class member has already total of 122 volunteer hours. One class member has already completed 51 volunteer hours and therefore is fully certified completed 51 volunteer hours and therefore is fully certified as a Volunteer Naturalist.as a Volunteer Naturalist.

• Projects have included:Projects have included:• 1. Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas1. Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas• 2. Hawk banding2. Hawk banding• 3. Planning and planting a rain garden3. Planning and planting a rain garden• 4. Wetland restoration4. Wetland restoration• 5. Butterfly tracking5. Butterfly tracking• 6. Leading night hikes 6. Leading night hikes • 7. Checking blue bird trails7. Checking blue bird trails

Partner AgenciesPartner Agencies

• OSU Extension, Licking CountyOSU Extension, Licking County• Ohio Department of Natural ResourcesOhio Department of Natural Resources• Soil and Water Conservation District, Licking Soil and Water Conservation District, Licking

CountyCounty• Dawes ArboretumDawes Arboretum• Licking Park DistrictLicking Park District• Licking Land TrustLicking Land Trust• Local SchoolsLocal Schools• Ohio Nature EducationOhio Nature Education• Camp Ohio Camp Ohio

David Greer

29th June 2007