URBANA, Ill. — The very nature of nature is that it is always changing. Seasons come and go, birds flit in and out of view, and water ebbs and flows constantly moving downstream. Master Naturalist volunteers are invited to stay up to date on nature’s news by attending the 2024 University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Conference this fall in western Illinois. 

This annual gathering on Sept. 26 and 27 in Macomb brings Master Naturalist volunteers and Extension program coordinators together to learn and grow their skills as advocates, teachers, and environmental stewards through hands-on learning. 

On Sept. 26, six field trip options to natural areas are available, including hiking, driving, and boat tours. An evening session will explore nocturnal insects and bats. Then, on Sept. 27 at Spoon River College Outreach Center, a variety of expert speakers will explore topics including supporting pollinators, communicating about climate change, native ferns, Illinois river research, bald eagles, bats in urban areas, and much more. The keynote speaker for the event is world-renowned oak tree expert Guy Sternberg, who will dig into the impact of climate change on native trees. 

The conference is $45, with additional fees for some tours. Find session details and accommodation information, or sign up by Sept. 15 at go.illinois.edu/MNConference. Registration opens Aug. 5. For general conference questions, contact Chris Enroth at cenroth@illinois.edu or (309) 837-3939. The conference is hosted by Illinois Extension staff and Master Naturalists of Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Katherine Budde at kbudde@illinois.edu or (309) 342-5108. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

The Master Naturalist program is offered through Illinois Extension county offices around the state. These volunteers are trained on a wide variety of environmental topics by University of Illinois experts. They then share their time and expertise through local environmental stewardship projects such as invasive species removal, restoration projects, wildlife monitoring, and more. Learn more about how to become an Illinois Master Naturalist and bring positive change to your community’s natural areas at extension.illinois.edu/MN.