Sorry, Online Registration is Closed
OCVN APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Please reach out to us if you are interested.
Please contact our office at 513-321-6070 x2 or email us at [email protected] if you are interested.
Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) Program Details:
Cincinnati Parks is proud to be a host site and partner for this 40-hour educational course that encompasses the topics of Ohio's watersheds, aquatic life, geology, soils, plants, forests, insects, and animals – reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.
The OVCN program includes an online portion of the class produced by Ohio State University. The online portion of this program includes weekly virtual lectures, followed by short assessments.
Each topic is taught by experts and community stakeholders from across the region.
To receive certification, upon completing the OCVN course, participants must document 40 hours of volunteer service and/or continuing education at any Ohio organization with a compatible program mission. In addition, after certification, 30 hours of volunteer service and/or continuing education are required annually to remain certified.
More information about the OCVN program can be found on Extension’s Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Page.
To understand more about the certification requirements, visit the OCVN’s Frequently Asked Questions Webpage.
Cincinnati Parks Fall 2024 Cohort
Program Fee: $250
Student Fee: $170 (current student status required)
Dedicated Volunteers Fee: $120**
**Dedicated volunteers are those who have demonstrated a consistent and significant commitment to Cincinnati Parks. If you believe you qualify for the dedicated volunteer discount, please contact our office at [email protected]
Participants are expected to attend all in-person meetings. Missing more than one of these sessions will lose their eligibility for certification.
OCVN Certification Requirements:
1. Complete the 40-hour in person and online instruction course.
2. Perform 40-hours of volunteer service with any non-profit Ohio organization, with compatible mission statement and/or obtain additional continuing education.
3. Recertify annually with 30 hours of volunteer service or continuing education.
Continuing Education:
In the first year of the course, participants volunteer 40 hours in categories such as Education/Interpretation & Outreach, Citizen Science, Land Stewardship, and Program Support. Participants may also take additional continuing education to count towards their 40-hour goal. Volunteer Service Must be completed in Ohio at a non-profit organization, with compatible mission as the OVCN program.
Become part of a local and statewide network of dedicated volunteers and learn about Ohio's ecology! Apply your passion to protect, restore, and understand Ohio’s natural resources.
Keen interest is more important than prior experience. No experience needed to apply or succeed in the OCVN program. We encourage everyone to apply.