Because early-winter weather problems have complicated the personal schedules of a lot of area residents, the Potomac Valley Master Naturalist Program is extending the application deadline for its 2014 classes by two weeks.

The new deadline for applying will be Jan. 31.

As before, Instruction will begin in March and continue monthly through October.

Established in 2007, the Potomac Valley Master Naturalist Program is sponsored by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society and is an official chapter of the State of West Virginia’s Master Naturalist Program.

Each year, enrollment is strictly limited to 20 people.

The program is patterned after the long-established Master Gardener program.

It trains individuals in the fundamentals of natural history and nature interpretation as a way of promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Graduates become part of a group of highly qualified volunteers who are certified as Master Naturalists by the state. With this certification, they can assist government agencies, schools, and non-government organizations with research, outdoor recreation development, and environmental education and protection.

Application forms and more details are available on the Potomac Valley Audubon Society website at www.potomacaudubon.org. Scholarship applications are also available there. For more information, contact Krista Hawley at adultprograms@potomacaudubon.org.