Master Naturalist

Events

Let's Talk Climate: understanding climate beliefs, misinformation, and communication best practices

November 11, 2025

Christmas Bird Count - Pinckneyville Public Library

November 12, 2025

County

Perry

Christmas Bird Count - Coulterville Public Library

November 13, 2025

County

Randolph

Volunteer Fair: Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists

November 15, 2025

County

Fulton

Mason

Peoria

Tazewell

More Events

Blog Posts

From observation to conservation through community science

October 30, 2025

It’s July 19, 2023. Standing at a trailhead within Skokie Lagoons, I was armed with close-focus binoculars and a clipboard, about to embark on a...

Top 10 pursuits to fall in love with winter

October 23, 2025

By Jill Meints, Extension Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties1. RestJust like with our gardens & plants, it...

Beautyberry: A flashy fall performer with purple pop

October 20, 2025

Each year in late summer and fall, beautyberry catches my eye and reminds me of its fantastic fruit display. This spectacular fall shrub is a...

Coyotes as sentinels: What wildlife reveal about public health

October 2, 2025

For 25 years, the Urban Coyote Research Project has been studying the ecology of urban coyotes in the Chicago area. Researchers monitor and...

More Blogs

News Releases

October 30, 2025

Master Naturalists connect through community and conservation at annual conference
OGLESBY, Ill. — Of all the state parks in Illinois, Starved Rock has the most visitors, and this October, it also welcomed University of Illinois Extension’s Master Naturalists to explore and learn together. Against a backdrop of migrating pelicans floating in the Illinois River at the base of...

Nancy surrounded by a group of kids gardening

October 28, 2025

Illinois Extension staff spotlight: Nancy Kuhajda
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Each month University of Illinois Extension serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties sits down with an Extension staff member to discuss their work and impact in the community.  This month's spotlight features...

October 1, 2025

Dual Extension program to teach rainscaping practices in Sycamore
SYCAMORE, Ill.— Naturalists and gardeners, homeowners, conservation organizations, stormwater professionals, and landscape consultants are examples of those who can learn how landscape design and management practices reduce pollution from stormwater runoff at a workshop hosted by University of...

several workers clearing an overgrown wooded area

September 17, 2025

Master Naturalists continue work restoring historic Sibley Burr Oak Grove
Sibley, Ill -- The East Central Illinois Master Naturalists invite community members and families to participate and volunteer in the Sibley Burr Oak Grove Workday on Saturday, October 11, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Sibley Burr Oak Grove Nature Preserve.This...

More News

Videos

Wetland Portrayal in Modern Film

Have you ever thought about wetlands and how they are portraied on screen? Is it the truth? Illinois Extension is here with information

Join University of Illinois Extension and Dr. Jeffrey Matthews of the...

White-Tailed Deer Habitat

From deer to other wildlife, Illinois Extension is here with information

Join University of Illinois Extension and Dr. Jameson Mori of the Illinois Natural History Survey in this info-packed Wilderness Wednesday webinar sponsored by the...