Minnesota Master Naturalist

About Minnesota Master Naturalist

What is a Minnesota Master Naturalist?

Watch this 5 minute video for a great overview on the program and what to expect.  Video created by Master Naturalist Volunteer, Galen Erickson.

Becoming a Minnesota Master Naturalist

Who can be a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer?

Any adult, 18+, who is curious and enjoys learning about the natural world shares that knowledge with others and supports conservation. If you enjoy hiking, bird watching, following tracks, or identifying wildflowers, you'll love being a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteers are a motivated group of fun and interesting people: teachers, retired professionals, nature guides, hunters, eco-tour operators, farmers, and...YOU!

The Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training Course consists of 40 hours of in-classroom training. The classroom training includes a variety of teaching methods—lectures, PowerPoints, hands-on activities, videos, and field trips that provide the participants with information on Minnesota's natural history. The course is designed to be a general overview of Minnesota's three biomes. Each class series focuses on one of the three biomes: Big Woods, Big Rivers; Prairies and Potholes; and North Woods, Great Lakes.

~Volunteer sharing her Love of Nature

Attendance Policy

Participants must complete 40 full hours of training to become certified Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteers.  You will be certified in the biome that you take, you need only take one biome to be considered a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer.

Volunteer Service

Following the completion of the training course, Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteers will be expected to complete 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training per year to be considered an active Master Naturalist. Any time spent on the Capstone Project and any volunteer service hours completed after graduating from the training course may be counted towards the 40 hours. There are four basic areas of service:

 

Awards

You will receive an award pin for every year that you volunteer 40 hours of service or more.  These pins are custom designed to thank you for your service each year.  Pins are currently designed by Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteers!  We love highlighting their talents.

When you have recorded the appropriate amount of hours onto the website, you will be qualified to receive the following accumulative pins.

When you complete Invasive blitz Training

Invasive blitz pin

Volunteers reporting 500 or more service hours in a SINGLE YEAR will receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

How much do the courses cost?

Each course costs $295.00 and includes course manuals and supplies.

Scholarships Available

If the $295.00 fee is a hardship, fill out the Minnesota Master Naturalist Scholarship Form   and send it to us.

Cancellation Policy

If we cancel a course, a full refund will be issued. If the registrant cancels, the following policies apply.

Advanced Training: Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $10.00 processing fee. For cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class, no refunds will be given.

Biome Courses: Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $20.00 processing fee. Cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus $50.00. If possible, your full fee may be transferred to another biome course.

Gathering Partners Conference: Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of the conference are refunded minus a $20.00 processing fee. Cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the conference are refunded minus $50.00. Refunds for lodging are subject to hotel policies.

National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands is a national day of service that the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program participates in.  It is held annually the third Saturday in September.  MNat coordinates mutiple sites across the state. It is our largest single day of service each year.  We encourage all MNat volunteers to participate.  Family members and friends are welcome to join us that day.  Registration is required.  

National Public Lands Day 2018

Ten Year Anniversary Timeline

Ten Year Anniversary Publication

 

Annual Reports

 

2020 Annual Report

2019 Annual Report

2018 Annual Report

2017 Annual Report

2014 Annual Report

2013 Annual Report

2010 Annual Report

2009 Annual Report

2005-2008 Accomplshments

2007 Annual Report

Special Thanks

Minnesota Master Naturalist Program wishes to thank all those who have contributed in making our program possible!