What is the Master Naturalist program? 

The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program is to provide science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards. The program educates and trains adult volunteers so they are better equipped to share natural resource information with others in their communities, and to assist with environmental conservation and restoration activities. We all have a responsibility to protect the natural resources in the places where we live in order to ensure our world is “fit for the future.” The University of Illinois Extension partners with local agencies to accomplish the Master Naturalist mission.

What volunteer services do Master Naturalists provide? 

Volunteers participate in a variety of outreach and educational opportunities that are pre-approved by the Extension Unit to fulfill a 30-hour per year volunteer requirement. Volunteer opportunities may include, but are not limited to: assisting in the management of local natural areas; completing natural resource related office work with special interest groups or not-for-profit agencies; teaching about natural areas to adults or children; giving demonstrations and presentations to local groups; serving as a liaison between natural resource agencies and the public, and; other volunteer needs of our local area partners.

Upcoming Programs:

Birdwatching Hikes:

• Dixon Waterfowl Refuge: May 17, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Lake Kakusha: June 14, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Nature Journaling Workshops:

• Hennepin Canal (Lock 9): May 30, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Lake Kakusha (Mendota): June 14, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Spring Wildflower Hikes:

• Dayton Bluffs Preserve: May 9, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Illini State Park: May 16, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Nature Photography for Beginners: May 23, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Nell's Woodland

Cyanotype Workshop: June 6, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Nell's Woodland

Accessible Hike: June 6, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Nell's Woodland

Fossil Fun:

• Seneca Public Library: June 10, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Putnam County Library - Granville Branch: July 31 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Fossils of the Illinois Valley:

• Princeton Public Library: June 4, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Seneca Public Library: June 17, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Lacon Public Library: June 24, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Granville Public Library: June 25, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Bat Acoustic Walks:

• Dayton Bluffs Preserve: June 13, 2026 | 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Nell's Woodland: August 15, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

National Moth Week - Insect Night Lighting: July 25, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Nell's Woodland

Yoga in Nature:

• Matthiessen State Park (Vermillion River Area): June 20, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Dixon Waterfowl Refuge: July 18, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Native Plant ID Hike: July 11, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Dayton Bluffs Preserve

The Night Shift: Moths of Illinois: August 6, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Putnam County Library - Condit Branch

Insects Up Close: Collecting, Pinning, and Preservation: August 8, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Nell's Woodland

Bat-tastic Illinois!

• Lacon Public Library: August 3, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Putnam County Library - Granville Branch: October 13, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Build a Bee Hotel: August 22, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Nell's Woodland

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