Receiving their certification, from left, are Mike Kinsey, Judy Kinsey, Brooks Shirk, Dave Winters, Kim Harp, Jason Rivich, Diane Quance, Diana Wright and Josiah Hartman.

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) sponsored Kosciusko Indiana Master Naturalists graduated its inaugural class, according to Darci Zolman, SWCD Program Director.

Of the eighteen participants, sixteen completed the required 24 hours of classroom/field work and passed the test with 70% or better. Nine members have also fulfilled the mandatory 24 hours of volunteer service in the community becoming certified  ndiana Master Naturalists.

Receiving their certification are: Mike Kinsey, Judy Kinsey, Brooks Shirk, Dave Winters, Kim Harp, Jason Rivich, Diane Quance, Diana Wright and Josiah Hartman.

“The program has been a resounding success,” commented Zolman.  “In addition to meeting some amazing people and learning more about our county’s natural resources and natural places, the community has received over 400 hours of volunteer service from this group already. That is phenomenal!”

The next Kosciusko Indiana Master Naturalist classes will begin in March and run through November 2017. For more information, contact Darci Zolman at Kosciusko SWCD, 217 E. Bell Drive, Warsaw, or by phone (574) 267-7445 x118.