Illinois Master Naturalists are required to give back a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service each year. Generally, volunteer work is done in the local community or in regional natural areas, but need not be limited to local efforts. Projects may involve natural resource stewardship at regional parks and preserves, environmental educational and outreach, and administrative service in perpetuating the Master Naturalist Program.

Natural Resource Stewardship – Natural Resource stewardship includes but is not limited to hands-on management, planting, wildlife and vegetation monitoring, prescribed burning, and trail work as it relates to the management of the regions natural resources. Opportunities for such stewardship of regional parks, natural areas, and preserves can be performed by coordinating with partnering groups and agencies. In addition to attending existing and scheduled volunteer workdays, Master Naturalists may contact partner groups about opportunities for independent service projects. Master Naturalists are particularly encouraged to coordinate with partnering groups and agencies regarding opportunities to assume an ongoing stewardship role at locations and preserves in need of continuing site stewardship.

Educational Efforts - Educational efforts are those activities or programs in which the Master Naturalist provides environmental education to the public. This includes developing and providing presentations to relevant audiences or at project demonstration sites, providing natural resource training to other volunteers, and developing environmental interpretative materials, programs, and signage. In general, those activities that contribute to the goals and mission of the Master Naturalist Program are considered appropriate.

Administrative Efforts - Administrative volunteer efforts that count towards volunteer time include working on a Master Naturalist newsletter, serving on the Master Naturalist Advisory Board, providing content for Master Naturalist publications and web media, and any other activities that help maintain and sustain the Master Naturalist Program.

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