BILOXI, Miss. -- Individuals interested in learning more about conservation of Mississippi's natural resources can attend the Coastal Mississippi Master Naturalist class.

The seven-week course begins at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center, located at 1815 Popp's Ferry Road in Biloxi. Classes meet once a week at various locations through Oct. 17. Weekday classes meet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Weekend classes begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

Attendees will learn about insects, birds, fish, forest ecology, human impacts, wildlife management, forest management, coastal habitats, and coastal and estuarine ecology. Sessions will consist of classroom instruction and field activities.

Registration is $250 per person and includes course materials and supplies. Seating is limited.

Participants must complete all classes and activities in the 40-hour basic training course to earn Master Naturalist certification. To maintain certification, individuals must complete a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training and 40 hours of volunteer service each year afterwards.

To register, visit the Mississippi Master Naturalist website at http://masternaturalist.extension.msstate.edu. For a detailed agenda or more information, contact Eric Sparks at eric.sparks@msstate.edu.