To begin the process of becoming a Master Naturalist, please check the list of Extension county offices offering the program. Counties in orange have active Master Naturalist programs. Each has its own application process and training schedule. 

These counties are currently not offering the program: Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Fayette, Effingham, Clay, Wayne, Edwards, Richland, Jasper, Edgar, Clark, Crawford, Lawrence, and Wabash. If your local Extension county does not currently offer the program, please consider contacting them to express your interest in the program. You can also take the training in a nearby county.

Interested applicants will submit an online or paper application for the program followed by an interview with Extension staff. Master Naturalist training is are typically offered one day a week over a 10-12 week period and are led by regional topical experts.

Download the Volunteer Application

Annual Training Schedule

• January - March: DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties
• March - October: Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties
• April 3 - June 13: Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, Schuyler counties
• June 6 - SEpt. 7: Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington counties 
• June 10 - 14: Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties
• August-November: McHenry County
• Aug. 10-Nov. 21: Cook County
• August - September: Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam counties
• Aug. 6 - Nov. 17: Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties 
• Aug. 13 - Nov. 23: Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, and Shelby counties
• Sept. 4 - Nov. 23: Dupage, Kane, Kendall counties