Master Naturalist Annual Conference

Soaring to Higher Heights and Connecting Through Conservation

2025 Illinois Extension Master Naturalist state conference

University of Illinois Extension’s Master Naturalists gathered in Oglesby to visit Starved Rock State Park to learn and explore together. Against a backdrop of migrating pelicans floating in the Illinois River at the base of Starved Rock’s namesake sandstone bluffs and bald eagles soaring overhead, 180 Extension volunteers and staff came together on Oct. 9 and 10 for Extension’s Master Naturalist state conference.

The conference was hosted by staff from the local Extension offices in Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties.

Read More About the Conference

2025 Conference Photos

Photos by Emily Steele, Shekina Mullen, Rosie Ralston, Shibu Kar, and Brodie Dunn 

Group of people walking through a prairie.
People kayaking next to Starved Rock State Park formations.
Man pointing off into the distance standing in a prairie.
Person holding a plant stem with seed pods.
Group of people walking through a forest with a tour guide.
Someone holding a phone with a photo of a plant on it.
Shipping container with a man standing on the right.
Group of people clapping in an auditorium.
People walking through a forested area with a tour guide.
Group of people outside listening to a tour guide.
People looking up with binoculars and cameras for birds.
Women giving a speech standing at a podium with a microphone.
Crowd of people in a large auditorium listening to a keynote speaker.
Panel of speakers sitting at a table with a host standing at a podium.
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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