This is the 2021 Cook County Master Naturalists training prepares volunteer Master Naturalists to participate in local environmental education and stewardship efforts more effectively. Trainees will learn about and may participate in citizen scientist activities. They will be able to share their knowledge, skills, and passion about the natural world with others so they also can become more engaged.
We offer expert led training sessions over three months. Approximately 50 hours of "classroom" instruction and field study and a minimum of 60 hours of volunteer work must be completed within the Forest Preserve of Cook County to become certified. Once a certified Master Naturalist, 30 hours of volunteer work and 10 hours of continuing education or advanced training are required each year and can be completed anywhere within Cook County.
Training is for accepted applicants only. Applications are now closed. If you are interested in joining the program, the next training will occur in August 2022 with applications opening in late February 2022. Please sign up for our 2022 Cook County Master Naturalist Notification List if you are interested in receiving notification when 2022 training application opens.
To learn more about the Cook County Master Naturalist Program, Check out the Cook County Master Naturalist Website and follow our Cook County Master Naturalist Facebook Page to keep up with our program.
This is the 2023 Cook County Master Naturalists training prepares volunteer Master Naturalists to participate in local environmental education and stewardship efforts more effectively. Trainees will learn about and may participate in citizen scientist activities. They will be able to share their knowledge, skills, and passion about the natural world with others so they also can become more engaged.
We offer expert led training sessions over three months. Approximately 50 hours of "classroom" instruction and field study and a minimum of 60 hours of volunteer work must be completed within the Forest Preserve of Cook County to become certified. Once a certified Master Naturalist, 30 hours of volunteer work and 10 hours of continuing education or advanced training are required each year and can be completed anywhere within Cook County.
Training is for accepted applicants only. Applications are now closed. If you are interested in joining the program, the next training will occur in August 2024 with applications opening in late February 2024. Please sign up for our 2024 Cook County Master Naturalist Notification List if you are interested in receiving notification when 2024 training application opens.
To learn more about the Cook County Master Naturalist Program, Check out the Cook County Master Naturalist Website and follow our Cook County Master Naturalist Facebook Page to keep up with our program.
The Diversify Master Naturalist course is a year-long learning program for Master Naturalist program facilitators (Illinois Extension staff) to discuss barriers to inclusion and diversity issues and learn to engage and build relationships with communities of color.
The initial program is from March to December 2021 filled with monthly meetings, quarterly trainings, and a final retreat. Those who are not enrolled, but interested this program should reach out to jmokeefe@illinois.edu.
Racism in the Natural World is a continuing education module for certified Master Naturalist volunteers. This is an extension of the Diversify Master Naturalist program and seeks to teach Master Naturalists about the historical and current racism in the outdoors through articles, videos, and podcasts from people of color.
Those who are not enrolled, but interested this program should reach out to Joy O'Keefe's email.