Master Naturalist meeting for Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties.

Master Naturalist Program

Master Naturalists are trained volunteers who facilitate conservation and restoration in their local communities and educate others about natural resources. To become a Master Naturalist, you must fill out and submit an application by contacting your local Extension office. After the local coordinator reviews the application, you will be asked for an interview. Acceptance of trainees will be based on an established need for local Master Naturalist volunteer activities. The training program takes place face-to-face by live instructors or via live webinar presentations. Training dates and locations will vary from county to county.

What will you learn? Classes are taught by University of Illinois specialists and Extension educators. Learn about West Central Illinois' natural history, ecosystems, plant and animal communities, and environmental issues.

Cost: A fee, which is determined by the local coordinator, is charged for the training and includes a training manual. 

What happens next? After successfully completing training and passing the final exam, you will become a Master Naturalist Intern. The internship consists of fulfilling volunteer hours approximately equal to the number of hours of classroom training received, 40 hours. Certified Master Naturalist are those who have completed their classroom training and internship.

To be an active Master Naturalist, you must remain current in annual educational updates (a minimum of 10 hours) and volunteer service hours (a minimum of 30 hours) required by the local program.