CHAMPAIGN, Ill – The East Central Illinois Master Naturalists welcomed 20 new graduates to their ranks on Wednesday, October 23, in a graduation ceremony at the Champaign County Extension Office. The ceremony celebrated the group completing the classroom portion of their Master Naturalist training with refreshments, a volunteer fair, and graduation caps decorated with plastic insects and spiders.

The training took place most days at the Extension office. Trainees attended lessons on simple subjects like ecosystems, wildflowers, and ecology, but also lessons on herpetology, archeology, and climatology taught by Extension staff, Master Naturalists and University of Illinois instructors. Trainees also had the chance to venture out of the classroom to locations such as Kennekuk County Park in Vermilion County, Warbler Ridge Conservation Area in Coles County, and Don Gardener’s Prairie in Ford County to put their lessons to use.

While each trainee had their own reason for becoming Master Naturalists, graduate Ender Howard shared that his reasons were rooted in community, “I enjoy the opportunity to come out here and volunteer to help the community a little bit and take some of those lessons to my own space.”

“This is a great group of Master Naturalists,” said Illinois Extension Educator and director of ECIMN Karla Griesbaum. “Current Master Naturalists, Instructors, other Educators, and our Partners and Sponsors have told me nonstop that the people in this class have a drive and dedication that will be so beneficial for the communities and natural areas they are already volunteering in.”

After completing the training, graduates will now complete 60 hours of service to graduate from intern to certified Master Naturalist. To help get them started, volunteers from local organizations such as the Audubon Society, Upper Sangamon River Conservancy, local parks districts, and others hosted booths to show the graduates what opportunities awaited them. Some trainees have already started to take on their own projects as well. Howard has already attended several cleanup days and has plans for his own project, “I’m looking into taking over stewardship for a small prairie at a local school, and I’m really looking forward to that.”

“As this is my first year directing the program, it means a great deal to me that these interns are already so successful as Master Naturalists,” said Griesbaum. “It is a great boost of confidence that if offered knowledge and opportunity in response to a need, there are people who want to step up and serve. It shows the desire for these types of programs and the continued guidance on volunteering in natural areas stewardship and outreach. It confirms a desire for this type of community and camaraderie that happens when folks get together with shared interests and goals. This specific goal is nurturing a love of nature and taking care of our environment, and it makes my heart so happy. I love that we can accomplish big things with passion as our main tool.”

What Is a Master Naturalist?

The Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program is a volunteer training program offered by University of Illinois Extension. East Central Illinois Master Naturalist is our local chapter of the program, including volunteers from Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties. Since establishing the East-Central Illinois Master Naturalist program in 2005, almost 400 residents have taken our Master Naturalist training. Volunteer efforts have provided over 98,000 hours of service valued at more than $2,000,000 to East-Central Illinois. With many hands, we make a big difference. 

If you would like to become a master naturalist or learn more about the East Central Illinois Master Naturalists, visit go.illinois.edu/ECIMN or contact our office at 217-333-7672.