Master Naturalist

Events

Burn Plans, Fire Weather, and Firing Techniques: A Prescribed Burn Primer

November 14, 2026

County

Pope

Master Naturalist November Meeting

November 15, 2026

County

Fulton

Mason

Peoria

Tazewell

Birding Walks with Master Naturalist Lily Glaeser & Indigo Nathani - Green Earth’s Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve

November 15, 2026

County

Jackson

Planning for Pollinators this Fall

November 19, 2026

County

Johnson

More Events

Blog Posts

Everyday Environment team after their live podcast on Beavers

The power of asking why! Some lessons from nature-based solutions

November 5, 2026

Thanks for following along with the Everyday Environment team this fall as we — Abigail, Erin, Amy, and Emily — explored nature-based solutions in...

Recording the natural world through nature journaling

October 5, 2026

Nature journaling is a way to slow down, pay attention, ask questions, and create a record of the natural world around us. A journal might include...

Using forestry tools was the core lesson at recent Extension workshop

August 13, 2026

Every tree has a story to tell, you just need the right tools to read it. Those stories are written in tree rings, hidden in their height, and tucked...

New homeowners should take time to learn their yard

August 4, 2026

By Deborah Lane, Extension Master Gardener, Serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell CountiesAs a Master Gardener volunteer, I have...

More Blogs

News Releases

November 11, 2026

Forest Quest leads youth into nature this Thanksgiving week
GENOA, Ill. — Children looking for adventure during Thanksgiving break can discover the outdoors through Forest Quest, a hands-on nature day camp offered by University of Illinois Extension and the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District.Taking place Monday, Nov. 23, and Tuesday, Nov. 24,...

Adults participate in an educational boat tour on a lake under a blue sky.

October 28, 2026

Eleven volunteers graduate from Master Naturalist training
MATTOON, Ill. — Illinois Extension is celebrating 11 new Master Naturalist graduates who are ready to support conservation efforts and share their knowledge of the natural world with their communities.The newest graduates are Zeb Collier, Beth Connelly, Brandalyn Curry, Troye Kauffman,...

October 28, 2026

Illinois Extension expands environmental outreach to meet growing need
URBANA, Ill. — A handful of University of Illinois Extension staffing changes mean four more educators in the northern part of the state are sharing their energy, environment, and natural resources expertise...

Educator Emily Hansen waves at the camera as she participates in Master Naturalist volunteer activities.

November 2, 2026

Illinois Extension announces Emily Hansen's new role in natural resources education
OTTAWA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that Emily Hansen has transitioned into a new role as Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator, serving Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties.Previously a Commercial Agriculture Educator, Hansen...

More News

Videos

Community Science in Your Backyard

At Everyday Environment, we enjoy noticing everyday observations of cool things in nature, many of which can be found in backyards and local parks. These everyday observations can be used to help scientists better understand the climate, species phenology, and more. Explore how everyone can...

Public Wild Areas Around the Kankakee River Basin

Visit some places you never knew existed, right in our own backyard!

Join University of Illinois Extension and retired Chicago Sun-Times Outdoors Columnist Dale Bowman in this info-packed Wilderness Wednesday webinar sponsored by the Kankakee River...