This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Rock Island County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland/
University of Illinois Extension, Rock Island County is pleased to offer a new Illinois Master Naturalist Program to local residents. The program's vision is to develop a corps of well-educated "Master Volunteers" to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated toward the beneficial management of natural resources within their communities.
A majority of Rock Island County residents are located in urban areas which creates a general disconnect between people and the natural environment. The Master Naturalist program will strive to improve public understanding of the natural world through natural resource education and outreach activities. Potential Master Naturalist volunteer projects are limitless, and could include such items as: restoring prairie habitat, building trails, controlling invasive exotic species, scientific monitoring, giving interpretive talks/tours, planting oak seedlings, and teaching children how to fish.
This Master Naturalist program is a large commitment for dedicated volunteers, and will require: 1) a one-time cost of $125 for books, materials, and supplies 2) 40 hours of training (32 in the classroom and 8 in the field) 3) 40 hours of volunteer service each year to maintain accreditation plus 8 hours of advanced training in each ensuing year.
The Spring 2008 Master Naturalist Training will begin in March and run through May. Enrollment for the Spring Training will begin in January.
For more information about the Illinois Master Naturalist Program, contact the Rock Island County Extension at (309) 796-0512 or e-mail: scrandal@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois Extension–Rock Island County serves over 20,000 youth and adult residents each year. Rock Island County Extension provides programming in areas such as: 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Home Horticulture, Nutrition & Health, Home & Money Matters, and Community Improvement. To learn more about how University of Illinois Extension can help you put knowledge to work, contact us at (309) 796-0512, or visit our website: www.extension.uiuc.edu
