Requirements for a Certificate of Completion for Blue Ridge Naturalist Program 

1. Completion of core classes*: Ecology, Geology/Meteorology, Botany, and Vertebrate Zoology

Passing with 75% accuracy on assigned take home tests in each course
Attendance – present for 75% of sessions for each class

2. Completion of the following field studies:

• One on trees
• One on wildflowers/native plants
• One on birds
• One on insects
• One elective zoology such as reptiles/amphibians, mammals, etc.
• One on aquatic ecology

Attendance – present for 75% of sessions for each class

3. Completion of a class on teaching/interpreting. May specialize in adults or children.

4. Successfully demonstrate competency of the subject matter covered in the course work above. Competency may be demonstrated in a variety of ways depending upon the particular area of interest of the participant. After the completion of core classes and field studies, the participant will meet with the Program Coordinator and decide whether they wish to take a comprehensive written test, develop a class, develop a community service project, etc.

* Core classes and field studies average 6-8 weeks and range on average from 20-28 hours in length.

Total number of hours for class work and field studies for the certificate will average approximately 250 hours.

Please note that this certificate is recognition that participants have completed a comprehensive program of study on the natural world of the Blue Ridge. It does not meet requirements towards a degree program at UNC-Ashville.
 

---