DECATUR – Be the change you want to see in the world, join the Glacier’s Edge Master Naturalists this fall. Master Naturalists are adult volunteers trained by University of Illinois Extension who volunteer their time and talents through lifelong stewardship and environmental educational outreach through community partners such as Scovill Zoo, the Macon County Conservation District and Decatur Audubon Society.

The Master Naturalist annual 12-week training starts September 3. The training covers a variety of topics taught by experts and connects people with the environment by educating adult volunteers and equipping them with the tools to share natural resource information and to assist with environmental conservation and restoration activities.

University of Illinois experts and community partners lead research-based sessions on geology, weather and climate, wetlands, environmental ethics, entomology, prairie, botany, waterways and more.

Participants will go on field trips throughout Illinois. Previous sites include the Great River Museum, Pere Marquette State Park and Emiquon Nature Conservancy.

Sessions are 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday starting September 3 and go through November 19 at the Macon County Extension Office located at 3351 N. President Howard Brown Blvd. in Decatur, IL. Some classes will be held at Conservation District sites or at Decatur Park District facilities.

The class costs $150 which covers training, field trips and class materials. Participants may be eligible for partial fee waivers. Master Naturalist trainees must be at least 18 years old.

Register by August 19 online or call (217) 877-6042. If you have any questions, please contact Extension program coordinator Dena Hyde at denahyde@illinois.edu.