BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Do you find yourself deeply enjoying the outdoors, bird watching, growing native plants, or wishing you knew more about sustainability?  This fall the University of Illinois Extension serving McLean, Livingston, and Woodford counties, will be offering Master Naturalist Training where individuals dive into our natural world and learn how to care for our earth in its full beauty.   

The Master Naturalist program helps connect people to nature and provides opportunities to become environmental stewards for your local community.  The course covers topics including Forests of Illinois, Urban Areas and Wildlife, Streams and Rivers, Geology, and more.  From August to November in a hybrid format, participants will immerse themselves in guided weekly readings, videos, and independent activities.  Each week also includes an in-person class field trip on Thursdays from 9:00 am to noon where participants learn from expert educators and experienced Master Naturalists with hands-on learning.  The $250 course fee covers all needed learning materials and class costs.       

Upon completing the course, trainees can become Master Naturalist volunteers with the University of Illinois Extension to steward our local areas and help educate others on the importance of our environment.  From removing invasive species in local parks to teaching youth about animal tracks, if you enjoy being outdoors and finding like-minded community, the Master Naturalist program will be a great fit for you!  

Learn more about the course and register for the fall Master Naturalist Training now at extension.illinois.edu/lmw.  Contact Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator Darci Webber at dlwebber@illinois.edu or 309-663-8306 with any questions.