Each year, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live. These volunteers will be among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during the 44th anniversary of National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, 2020.

In 2019, our volunteers contributed hundreds of hours in various capacities to the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs in Alexander, Johnson, Union, Massac, and Pulaski counties. After completing an 11-12 week training course, these volunteers demonstrate their commitment by completing a volunteer internship and then continuing to volunteer their time in subsequent years.

“Our volunteers extend the reach of Extension and expand the opportunities we have to work in our local communities to connect people to nature and gardening,” says Extension Educator Erin Garrett, the local coordinator for the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs for the southern five counties. 

Volunteers spend numerous hours working on a variety of projects, such as staffing an educational booth at the farmer’s market, leading a birding hike, volunteering at Boo at the Slough, or teaching community members how to harvest produce at a community garden.

Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers are just two groups of volunteers who are instrumental in carrying out the mission of University of Illinois Extension. Thank you, to all Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers, for the impact you make on your local communities.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any of our programs, please contact your local county extension office by phone or for more details, in Anna 833-6363, Metropolis 524-2270, Mounds 745-5200, and Vienna 658-5321. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting access needs.

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Adapted by: Erin Garrett, Adapted from an article written by: Mary Jo Williams, State 4-H Youth Development Specialist, University of Missouri

Local Contact: Mr. Jody Johnson, Unit 27 Multi-County Director, 618-658-5321, jjhnsn@illinois.edu
or Brenda Hileman, 618-833-6363, hileman@illinois.edu.