Sponsored by University of Illinois Extension Champaign County, Champaign County Forest Preserve District, and Urbana Park District, the East-Central Illinois Master Naturalist Program educates and trains adult volunteers to help disseminate natural resource information to the public and to assist with conservation activities in East-Central Illinois.

Any adult can become a Master Naturalist. It does not require a degree or years of experience. You do, however, need to:

- Successfully complete the approximately 70 hours of weekday daytime training

- Have a sincere desire to learn and share natural resource information within your community

- Be able to communicate effectively

- Be willing to devote time to volunteering and to continuing education each year to remain certified.