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Master Naturalist

Picture of native plant Black-eyed Susan with butterfly

Native plant education aids natural habitat preservation 

Each year in the United States, over one million acres of native habitat are transformed into urban and suburban lawns. The loss of these native plant resources is directly related to the decline of the native bird population by 3 billion birds. As news of species decline becomes more common,...
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group of Master Naturalists standing in front of display

Master Naturalists volunteer at Fulton-Mason Eagle Day

Fulton-Mason Eagle Day is a popular annual community event organized by the Emiquon Partnership attracting well over 1,000 visitors this year. University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist volunteers assist in a variety of ways each year to help educate youth and adult visitors and inspire...
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man helping student use microscopes

Science Adventure Day helps draw kids outdoors in Canton

Since 2014, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists serving in Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties have collaborated with several partners for a special event called Science Adventure Day. Over a two-day period in September, all Canton District 66 fourth graders experience six...
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Christine Belless in action

What I Do and Why It Matters - Christine Belless

Christine Belless Ag & Natural Resources Program Coordinator cbelless@illinois.edu  “I coordinate logistics and volunteers for commercial agriculture and natural resource programs. I work closely with our team of 90 Master Naturalists as they deliver educational programs, complete...
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