The Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program is administered at the state level, but local Extension offices can tailor the program to match their region and meet community needs.
The following counties do not currently have an active Master Naturalist program. If you live in any of these counties and are interested in joining, you can attend training in a nearby county or contact your county office to express your interest. Learn more about becoming a Master Naturalist.
Counties without an active Master Naturalist program: Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Fayette, Wayne, Edwards, Richland, Lawrence, and Wabash.
State Master Naturalist Specialist
Abigail Garofalo
Extension Specialist, Illinois Master Naturalist Program
Keywords
Environment
Master Naturalist
Native Plants
Wildlife
Climate
(847) 201-4176
Master Naturalist Coordinators
Alex Landberg
Lake County Master Gardener/Master Naturalist Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Naturalist
Alison Meanor
Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Keywords
Volunteers
Master Naturalist
309-663-8306
Amy Lefringhouse
Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator
Keywords
Master Naturalist
Environment
Conservation
Camping
Forestry
Invasive Species
Native Plants
Outdoor Skills
Ponds
Wildlife
(217) 223-8380
Bettyann Harrison
Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
309-364-2356
Brenda Dahlfors
McHenry County Master Gardener/Master Naturalist Program Coordinator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
815-338-3737
Connie Handel
DeKalb County Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Naturalist
Master Gardeners
815-758-8194
Darci Webber
Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator
Keywords
Environment
Water
Master Naturalist
Energy
Invasive Species
309-663-8306
Emily Hansen
Commercial Ag Educator
Keywords
Commercial Agriculture
Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture
Soil
Cover Crops
Conservation
Environment
Master Naturalist
Jennifer Warren
Horticulture Program Coordinator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Local Foods and Small Farms
618-695-2441
Judy Hodge
Boone County Program Coordinator
Keywords
Horticulture
Environment
Energy
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
815-544-3710
Jenny Lee
Program Coordinator, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Energy Efficiency
Environment
(217) 345-7034
Karla Griesbaum
Environmental and Energy Stewardship Educator
Keywords
Environment
Energy
Master Naturalist
Outdoor Skills
Conservation
Native Plants
Wildlife
(217) 333-7672
Katherine Budde
Horticulture Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Naturalist
Master Gardeners
(309) 342-5108
Kinsey Tiemann
Adams County Ag in the Classroom and Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Naturalist
(217) 223-8380
Melissa Berg
Master Naturalist Extension Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Naturalist
Volunteers
Citizen Science
Conservation
217-333-7672
Nick Frillman
Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator
Keywords
Local Foods and Small Farms
Cover Crops
Tree Fruits
Weeds
309-663-8306
Peggy Anesi
Natural Resources, Environment and Energy Educator
Keywords
Environment
Energy
Water
Wildlife
815-784-2000
Rebecca Schiver
Extension Program Coordinator - Agriculture and Natural Rescouces
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
(217) 465-8585
Sam Jacobs
Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Naturalist
Environment
Energy Conservation
(217) 300-0777
Sarah Fellerer
Master Naturalist Program Coordinator and Kendall County Master Gardener Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Horticulture
630-553-5823
Sarah Ruth
Horticulture and Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
(618) 939-3434
Tracy Jo Mulliken
Program Coordinator, Horticulture and Agriculture
Keywords
Horticulture
Gardening
Agriculture
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
309-756-9978
Educators and Specialist
Andrew Holsinger
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Fruits
Gardening
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Native Plants
Tree Fruits
Vegetables
(217) 532-3941
Bruce Black
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Vegetable Gardening
Fruits
815-632-3611
Christopher Enroth
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Community Garden
Vegetable Gardening
Landscape Architecture
Landscape Design
Lawn Care
Conservation
Drainage
Insect Pests
Native Plants
Pollinator Habitat
Soil
Trees
Turf
Invasive Species
Ornamental
(309) 837-3939
Christina Lueking
Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Horticulture
Gardening
Vegetable Gardening
Urban Gardening
Flowers
Native Plants
Pollinator Habitat
(618) 618-242-0780
Douglas B. Gucker
Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator
Keywords
Agricultural Safety
Local Foods and Small Farms
Small Farms
Master Naturalist
Integrated Pest Management
Insect Pests
Certified Crop Advisor
Sustainable Agriculture
Bees
Corn
Environment
Lawn Care
Livestock
Native Plants
Soybeans
Trees
Urban Gardening
Vegetables
Wheat
Beneficial Insects
217-877-6042
Gemini Bhalsod
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Plant Health Care
Gardening
(217) 300-7031
Jamie Viebach
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Conservation
Native Plants
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Landscape Design
Pollinator Habitat
Gardening
Environment
630-955-1123
Jennifer Fishburn
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Horticulture
Master Naturalist
(217) 782-4617
Joy O'Keefe
Assistant Professor, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Keywords
Faculty
Wildlife
Environment
Master Naturalist
Invasive Species
Kimberly Rohling
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Community Garden
Horticulture
(618) 687-1727
Nancy Kreith
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Community Garden
Landscape Architecture
Urban Gardening
(217) 300-5601
Nancy Kuhajda
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Horticulture
Composting
Agriculture
(217) 300-9270
Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
Conservation
Flowers
Gardening
Native Plants
Houseplants
Plant Disease
Perennials
Composting
Weeds
Bees
Herbs
Vegetable Gardening
Vegetables
Soil
309-347-6614
Ryan Pankau
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Trees
Forestry
Invasive Species
Pollinator Habitat
217-333-7672
Sreelakshmi Suresh
Horticulture Educator
Keywords
Pollinator Habitat
Beekeeping
Native Plants
(217) 347-7773
Sarah Ruth
Horticulture and Natural Resources Program Coordinator
Keywords
Master Gardeners
Master Naturalist
(618) 939-3434
Sarah Vogel
Horticulture and Natural Resources Educator
Keywords
Horticulture
Master Gardeners
Forestry
Trees
Flowers
Annuals
Perennials
Weeds
Composting
Civic Engagement
( 217) 877-6042