Become a Michigan Master Naturalist
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EmailBringing nature home is the motto for Michigan Master Naturalists as they learn about conservation. Master Naturalists do this through gaining understanding of the interconnectedness of native plants and animals and human activity.
Are you an individual with a passion for the natural world? Do you want to use your knowledge to give back to the community? Do you have a desire for a deeper understating of how to conserve Michigan’s natural resources? Then the Michigan Master Naturalist program may be the thing for you! Becoming a Michigan Master Naturalist offers the opportunity to explore the splendor of nature, the connections of ecology, and the beauty of bringing that home to the urban and wild landscapes and gardens in our community.
Michigan Master Naturalist Program is starting a new training series in May. Sessions are held one Saturday a month from May through October, from 8am to 12:30pm. The 2019 program features locations selected to highlight various coastal region habitats in southwest Michigan. The six sessions will be taught in both indoor and outdoor settings. The outdoor sessions will be lead on foot in a wide variety of locations including well known (or somewhat secretive) parks, native preserves and bogs throughout the local training area. Online registration is open now.
To become certified in the program, participants must attend all sessions and complete 24 hours of provided education, through field trips, lectures, and activities. In addition, participants must pass an exam with 75% accuracy and are encouraged to perform conservation work for a variety of organizations. The program costs $240. (Teachers: Program SCECH credit application is pending.)
Participants in the “Michigan Master Naturalist” program will gain a greater understanding of the natural environment and conservation techniques while learning natural science related to Michigan. Participants can take an active role in implementing what they have learned throughout their community and in their own backyards. For more information, contact Beth Clawson at clawsonb@msu.edu.
For more information about the Michigan Master Naturalist program, contact Beth Clawson, MSU Extension Educator. To learn more about this and other natural resources or water quality programs, contact Michigan State University Extension Natural Resources educators who are working across Michigan to provide natural resources and water quality educational programming and assistance. You can contact an educator through MSU Extension’s “Find an Expert” search tool using the keywords “Natural Resources” or “Water Quality.”
