LEWISTOWN, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit will be offering Extension Master Naturalist hybrid training this summer, June 6 -17, weekdays, Monday – Friday, 9 am to 2 pm. Space is limited. To begin the application process, go.illinois.edu/MNtraining or contact Christine Belless at cbelless@illinois.edu, 309-547-3711.
The mission of the Extension Master Naturalist program is to provide science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards.
The program educates and trains adult volunteers, so they are better equipped to share natural resource information with others in their communities and to assist with environmental conservation and restoration activities. We all have a responsibility to protect the natural resources in the places where we live to ensure our world is "fit for the future." University of Illinois Extension collaborates with local agencies to accomplish the Illinois Master Naturalist mission.
Illinois Master Naturalist trainees participate in a minimum of 60 hours of initial training. The classes will be held at various locations throughout the four-county area. Hybrid training allows participants more flexibility in their time to complete independent study. Extension staff provide participants with videos, websites and articles to learn from on their own time. A combination of classroom instruction and field study will be used to present topics such as Archaeology, Ornithology, Entomology, Herpetology, Mammals, Botany, Ecology, Urban environment, Geology, Soil, Forest, Prairies, and Wetlands.
Educators participating in the training will be eligible for 60 Professional Development hours through the Regional Office of Education #53. Upon the completion of the course, and an additional $10 fee will be due to ROE #53.
Volunteer Option
For those wanting to become a Master Naturalist volunteer, the University of Illinois requires each applicant to complete an application, background screening paperwork and schedule an interview with Extension Program Coordinator, Christine Belless. The fee to participate is $250 and covers classroom sessions, field training, handouts, and the Master Naturalist manual. Upon completion of the Master Naturalist training, graduates who have selected the volunteer option, will become Master Naturalist Interns and have two years to complete 60 volunteer service hours to become Active Master Naturalist. To continue as an Active Master Naturalist volunteers must fulfill 30 volunteer hour and 10 continuing education hours annually.
Education Only Option
For individuals who only want to attend Master Naturalist training for their personal or professional enrichment, but do not want to volunteer, the fee is $250, covering classroom sessions, field training, handouts, and the Master Naturalist manual. The education only participants will also need to complete an application and schedule an interview with Extension Program Coordinator, Christine Belless.
Applications, screening paperwork, interviews, and course fee, must be received by May 30.
For more information about University of Illinois Extension Illinois Master Naturalist program, contact Christine Belless, Extension Program Coordinator, cbelless@illinois.edu, 15411 N IL 100 Hwy, Lewistown, IL 61542 or call 309-547-3711.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event listed in this news release, contact your local Extension office.
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