The Idaho Master Naturalist Program aims to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to actively work toward stewardship of Idaho’s natural environment.

Who can become an Idaho Master Naturalist?

Anyone who enjoys and appreciates Idaho’s outdoors can be an Idaho Master Naturalist; teachers, hunters, recreationists, farmers, retired professionals, and … you!

Idaho Master Naturalists are people who enjoy outdoor recreation, bird watching, identifying plants and animals, gardening, and supporting conservation through volunteerism.

The program is coordinated by Idaho Fish & Game, and there are currently eight chapters statewide. Canyon County Parks is a partner of the Deer Flat Chapter, hosted by the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa.

“We’re very happy to be partners with the Deer Flat chapter of Idaho Master Naturalists. Several of our staff have certified, some year over year,” said Dylon Starry, Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources Program Manager and certified Idaho Master Naturalist. “As outdoor education providers in the Treasure Valley, we’re excited to join forces with groups that are bringing people into conservation education, as this is how we preserve our resources for people to enjoy for generations.”

One of the main requirements for the program is to attend 40 hours of education about Idaho’s natural world, and then participants must volunteer 40 hours sharing that knowledge they learned.

In addition to the Refuge, Chapter partners include the Bureau of Land Management’s Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and the Orma J. Smith Natural History Museum at The College of Idaho. The Deer Flat Chapter was founded in 2016 to bring the Master Naturalist program to the western Treasure Valley.

Through the Idaho Master Naturalist Program, you will:

• Participate in conservation efforts in five areas (Citizen Science, Conservation Education, Administration, Habitat Stewardship, and Chapter Formation and Maintenance).
• Find camaraderie with a large network of dedicated and trained volunteers who work toward conservation.
• Further your education and interest in nature.
• Have an opportunity to give back to the community you live in.

Other Idaho Master Naturalist Chapters include:

• City of Trees, Boise
• Deer Flat Chapter, Nampa
• Henry’s Fork Chapter, Island Park
• High Desert Chapter, Pocatello
• Lewis Clark Chapter, Lewiston
• McCall Heartland Chapter, McCall
• Pend Oreille Chapter, Sandpoint
• Sagebrush-Steppe Chapter, Boise
• Upper Snake Chapter, Idaho Falls
• Teton Valley Chapter, Driggs
• Palouse Chapter, Moscow

For more information about the Idaho Master Naturalist Program visit: https://idfg.idaho.gov/master-naturalist or email Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources at parksprograms@canyoncounty.id.gov.

For more great videos about Outdoor Idaho visit: https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/outdooridaho/.

Nature as a Classroom — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEfzGF7RO-E

Idaho Master Naturalist Program — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7oDne83g50

https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/master_naturalist_brochure_one-page.pdf

Established as a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife in 1909, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest refuges in the country. The lake was originally built as a reservoir to supply water for irrigation. Thousands of people visit the lake each year to swim, boat, hunt, fish and enjoy nature. The refuge is open from sun-up to sundown and always free.

“We encourage everyone to be safe while visiting the lake,” said Edward Owens, project leader for Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. “We are especially grateful to Canyon County Marine Patrol for helping to monitor activity on the lake and make sure it is safe for all.”

Loaner life jackets are available for boaters and swimmers at the east end of the Upper Dam, the Lower Dam Recreation Area and at Parking Lot 1. While recreating at Lake Lowell and the refuge, it is important that visitors follow federal, state and local regulations.

Refuge visitors can enjoy watching for fishing osprey and bald eagles, surface-nesting western and Clark’s grebes, and many other animals that will also be using the lake this summer. To protect wildlife, especially those nesting along and in the water, there are no-wake zones established on the southeast end of the lake, through the narrows and in a 200-yard zone on the south side of the lake.

In addition to participating in water-based recreation, refuge visitors are invited to enjoy wildlife and nature as they hike one of the short or long refuge trails. The refuge visitor center offers views of lake and upland wildlife from the observation room, hands-on kids’ activities, and opportunities to learn about local wildlife and refuge activities. The visitor center (13751 Upper Embankment Road) is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Refuge regulations are available at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/deer-flat/visit-us/rules-policies.

For additional information and refuge maps, please visit https://fws.gov/refuge/deer-flat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit https://www.fws.gov/about/region/pacific and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.