The Natural Areas Training Academy: Preparing Florida's Land Managers for the Modern Challenges of Land Management

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Natural Areas Training Academy (NATA) has been in operation in Florida since June of 2000. The program was founded and managed by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with the University of Florida. NATA offers the Certificate in Natural Areas Management as a continuing education experience. Land management professionals earn this certificate following completion of a series of five workshops that cover the basic skills of natural areas management. NATA works with experienced professionals from a variety of agencies who serve as faculty; an advisory committee provides guidance to ensure that workshops are timely and relevant. NATA offers training that is specifically designed for professionals who manage natural areas. It assists these professionals to define what they do on a daily basis and adds to the traditional training that most have had in one or more biological sciences. Natural areas management is a profession that lacks a well accepted, codified set of skills. NATA offers a sequen...