CFAES Give Today
OSU Extension

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Interested!- Click HERE to to download the fillable PDF Application 

All applications are due by Friday, January 19, 2024.

Please send completed applications via email to Kristen at eisenhauer.30@osu.edu.

If printing your application, please bring or mail it to the Mahoning County Extension Office, 490 S Broad Street Canfield, OH 44406 by Friday, January 19, 2024.

Mission -

The mission of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) program is to promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio's natural resources through science-based education and community service.

The OCVNs role is to support partners as their volunteers in meeting the needs of our citizens in the area of natural resources education.

Activities Include:

  • Identifying and educating the public about invasive species
  • Understanding the aspects of nature in our region 
  • Giving public presentations relating to nature
  • Hosting events for the public
  • Get to know the local nature centers, parks, and other sites where you can volunteer

To become an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist, you must:

  • Complete 40 hours of combined classroom and field instruction
  • Perform 40 hours of approved volunteer service within the first year
  • After certification, 20 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training are required annually               

Training Topics include:

  •  Soil, Geology, & Watersheds
  •  Ecology & Stewardship
  •  Working with the public & communication skills
  •  Botany & Forests
  •  Entomology & Herpetology
  •  Ornithology & Mammals

Interested in joining our 2024 OCVN Training?  

General Information:

  • Class Times - Tentative class start date is February 20, 2024This 12-week course covers everything in nature! Geology, soils, mammals, reptiles, forestry, entomology, ornithology, mammals, and more will be the focus of this certificate course. Participants will hear from local experts and interact with nature. The course is eight Tuesday evenings from 6-9pm and four Saturdays from 9am-3:30pm.

    Location: OSU Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St, Canfield, OH – PLUS 4 on-site locations at nature centers and parks.

  • Fees - Course - The cost of the class (after you are accepted) is $225. Payment is made after the interview is conducted and you are accepted into the class. This fee includes the manual, refreshments, some meals, speakers, and more! Once applications are received, they will be reviewed for acceptance into the program. 
  • Fees – Background Check - There is no background check required because you will not be considered an OSU Volunteer. All applicants will become a volunteer at a different site and will follow the rules of the chosen site (personal choice).
  • Reading/Quizzes - The class requires some reading before class and a quiz (10 questions) for each chapter. This is open book at home.
  • Volunteering - The volunteer requirements after the class are 40 hours in the first year. This starts after class is completed. For each year after, the requirement is 20 hours of volunteer time and 8 hours of continuing education each year.