STERLING, Ill.-Explore the naturalist within! Enrich your love of nature become a Master Naturalist with the University of Illinois Extension. Master Naturalists are trained to be stewards of our natural environment and to share these skills with others. Training provides opportunity to connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards.

The 2021 Master Naturalist training will start January 2021 with monthly meetings continuing through November 2021. To allow for flexibility, we will be using a flipped classroom style training utilizing readings, videos and assignments. We will meet once a month on the second Saturday of the month, for discussion and field trips.  Topics include: Ethics and Interpretation Forests, Wetlands, Botany, Ornithology, Prairie, Soils, Natural Divisions, Mammalogy, Weather and Climate, and Astronomy.

Come explore the natural world and learn what it means to be a naturalist. For more information please contact Mary Nelson at 815/632-3611 or email at: mnelsn25@illinois.edu

If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please email mnelsn25@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

WRITER: Mary Nelson, Whiteside County ANR Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.