University of Illinois Extension, Rock Island County is pleased to offer the 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.

For more information about the Illinois Master Naturalist Program, contact the Illinois Master Naturalist Coordinator Elizabeth K. Haynes at the Quad Cities Center (309) 792-2500 or via email at ehaynes@illinois.edu