Thursday, June 4, 2009

Master Naturalist Graduation

Wednesday, June 3rd was our final Master Naturalist class and graduation. Because this was a special evening and most likely the last time our entire group would be getting together, we decided to have a potluck supper. There was an abundance of delicious food items. My contribution was hot barbecue venison sandwiches which were a big success (I brought home only enough leftovers to make one more sandwich!)


One of our classmates even had a special graduation cake made for our class! Pretty neat, eh?

Here's the official "diploma" presentation!


And here's a closer look at my certificate (suitable for framing!) and the "official" name tag and a little Minnesota pin indicating my successful completion of the Big Woods, Big River Biome Master Naturalist course.
This was a great class and I'm glad I had the chance to take it. I plan to have one more post with some pictures and other class highlights not previously posted, plus some information on how to find Master Naturalist classes in other states in case any of you might be interested in pursuing this opportunity also.



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23 comments:

  1. Gaelyn6/4/09, 10:34 PM

    Congradulations Ruthie! What a fun class and a great opportunity to meet people of like interests. Of course I figure you were already a naturalist, and this just helped you grow more. Love the cake.

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  2. Beth6/5/09, 4:21 AM

    Congratulations, Ruth. I have enjoyed these posts and know that you will be a wonderful addition to Minnesota's master naturalists.

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  3. Dana and Daisy6/5/09, 6:13 AM

    Congratulations Ruth and what an achievement for you! We're all proud of you!

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  4. Marsha6/5/09, 7:33 AM

    Congratulations Ruth! What a great achievement - I too am proud of you and could think of no one better to take this course.

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  5. Anonymous6/5/09, 7:38 AM

    Congratulations Ruth on the completion of the Master Naturalist class and the nice diploma. I hope it was worth all the hours of class and field trips. Now I know who I can ask questions about nature and get a good answer.

    MOM

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  6. Ruth6/5/09, 7:50 AM

    It would be so interesting to attend something like this. Looking forward to learning more from you. Your potluck offering sounded delicious.

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  7. Richard6/5/09, 7:56 AM

    Way To Go Ruthie. Now I know where to go to ask questions.

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  8. Lynne at Hasty Brook6/5/09, 8:00 AM

    Yay Ruthie!! I'll be right behind Richard bringing you my questions.

    Do you have lots of volunteer time that you have to do now?
    How does that work?
    How do you find volunteer opportunities?
    or am I thinking of Master Gardeners?)

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  9. Taos Sunflower6/5/09, 9:32 AM

    Congratulations and big hugs! XO

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  10. RuthieJ6/5/09, 12:44 PM

    Thanks Gaelyn. The cake was delicious and I managed to limit myself to only 1 piece (although there was lots left!)

    Thanks Beth. I hope so. At the very least I will learn more through my volunteer projects & hope to get into bird banding soon!

    Thanks Dana. It was definitely worth all the hours and time I put into the class.

    Thanks Marsha. I'm glad I had the opportunity to participate in the class too. I think we'll be starting a Master Naturalist chapter in Rochester, so I'll get to continue seeing some of my classmates regularly.

    Hi Mom,
    It was worth it, but I'll be glad to have my Wednesday nights free again.

    Thanks Ruth. My potluck food was great--I just finished the last of it for today's lunch (but had to share it with the pets, so not a morsel went to waste!)

    Thanks Richard.

    Thanks Lynne.
    To maintain our volunteer Master Naturalist status, every year we will be required to complete 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer time (I think Master Gardeners have much less volunteer time than that).
    For you in the Twin Cities, there's a great abundance of opportunities available and also a Big Woods, Big Rivers class coming up in August at the Dodge Nature Center in W. St. Paul. You can go to this link: http://www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org/
    and click on "Courses Available" in the left-hand column for more information.

    Thanks Martie. Now I should work on completing my Master Knitter course!

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  11. NCmountainwoman6/5/09, 1:11 PM

    Wow! A bona fide Master Naturalist! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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  12. Lisa at Greenbow6/5/09, 2:24 PM

    Congrats Ruthie. I bet you are looking at nature a little differently now and able to enjoy it to the max.

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  13. Mary C6/5/09, 4:40 PM

    Ruthie, congratulations! I really like that picture of you accepting your certificate. Way to go, girlfriend! It sounds like there's a lot of time involved afterwards, too. But, I'm sure you'll enjoy putting in that time, too.

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  14. Anonymous6/5/09, 5:23 PM

    Congratulations Sissy!!

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  15. KGMom6/5/09, 9:41 PM

    Congrats--now you are CERTIFIED.

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  16. Heidi6/5/09, 10:38 PM

    Congratulations Ruthie!

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  17. Jayne6/6/09, 7:50 AM

    Congratulations Ruthie! What a great accomplishment. :c)

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  18. Mel6/6/09, 1:39 PM

    Congrats Ruthie!!!

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  19. RuthieJ6/7/09, 8:25 PM

    Thanks Carolyn!

    Thanks Lisa, at least I know more about what I'm looking at!

    Thanks Mary C. 40 Hours of volunteer time will be a challenge, but I'm looking forward to seeing what I'll be able to do.

    Thanks Sissy.

    Thanks Donna.

    Thanks Heidi.

    Thanks Jayne

    Thanks Mel.

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  20. Mary6/7/09, 9:07 PM

    Congrats, Ruthie. You are certainly worthy of this distinction. I've learned a lot about nature just by knowing you.

    Good job!

    Mary

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  21. Heather6/8/09, 7:08 PM

    WOO HOO - Congratulations Ruthie!!! You're truly an inspiration to me, both as a nature lover and as a strong woman who gets out there and does whatever she wants in areas that seem to be so male dominated (but that is changing, thank goodness!). I never would have heard of such a thing as a Master Naturalist program if it weren't for you. You go girl! I hope to follow in your footsteps someday soon!

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  22. Dawn Fine6/9/09, 7:41 PM

    Congratulations Ruthie on this great accomplishment!

    i need to do something like that someday..

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  23. Kathy6/9/09, 11:51 PM

    Congratulations, Ruthie!!! You are a mistresses of many things - chalk up one more!

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