Evaluating the Structure, Demographics, and Effectiveness of the Mississippi Master Naturalist Program

Authors

Sarah Cunningham, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Eric Sparks, Mississippi State University and Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant ConsortiumFollow
Adam Rohnke, Mississippi State University

Volume

59

Issue

3

DOI

10.34068/joe.59.03.13

Abstract

The purpose of our evaluation was to assess the structure, demographics, and effectiveness of the Mississippi Master Naturalist Program (MMNP) from 2015-2019. Results show that racial diversity within the MMNP was low and offering basic training courses during the work week attracts more retirees. Subsequently, an average retiree completed nearly three times more annual volunteer service hours than a non-retiree. Therefore, targeting retirees may be the most effective means of enhancing environmental stewardship within this program. Additionally, the results of this evaluation highlight that active recruitment of underserved populations is necessary to increase the diversity of participants in Extension programs.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Cunningham, S., Sparks, E., & Rohnke, A. (2021). Evaluating the Structure, Demographics, and Effectiveness of the Mississippi Master Naturalist Program. The Journal of Extension, 59(3), Article 13. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.59.03.13