Minnesota Master Naturalist Home

The Minnesota Master Naturalist Program is designed to teach adult participants about natural and cultural history of the three major biomes of Minnesota. Students who enroll in a class will be taught by an instructor who is affiliated with a local nature based center or natural resource focused agency. Students will receive 40 hours of classroom instruction covering the basics of ecology and systems. Teaching involves outdoor activities, PowerPoint slides, suggested resources, curriculum written for the course, and interaction with other students and instructors. Students will be asked to do a capstone project prior to graduation from the class. Time is built into the class periods to accommodate working adults. Upon graduation, Master Naturalist Volunteers are expected to complete 40 hours of volunteer service in the next calendar year. Pins are awarded for completion of service and at special levels of service.

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View a sample course outline for Big Woods, Big Rivers

  1. Lesson: What? What? What? – An introduction to Minnesota Master Naturalist and the local host site
  2. Lesson: Ecology, and Minnesota's biomes
  3. Lesson: Rocks, Ice, and Dirt – What made the Big Woods?
  4. Lesson: The Forest for the Trees – Plant Communities in the Big Woods
  5. Lesson: What did you say? – Communicating Your Message
  6. Lesson: Earthworms and Turtles and Deer, Oh My! – Creatures of the Big Woods
  7. Lesson: Runs, Riffles, Oxbows, and Kettles – Water in the Landscape
  8. Lesson: Bigmouth Buffalo, Northern Leopards, and Wild Rice – Plants and Animals of the Big Woods' waters
  9. Lesson: Past, Present, and Future – Humans and the Big Woods
  10. Lesson: Leaving the Nest – Becoming a Fully-Fledged Minnesota Master Naturalist
  11. Lesson: Graduation – Being a Minnesota Master Naturalist
  12. Field Trips: Two 8 hour field trips are also required for participants

Program Objectives

The mission of the Minnesota Master Naturalist program is to promote awareness, understanding, and stewardship of Minnesota's natural environment by developing a corps of well-informed citizens dedicated to conservation education and service within their communities.

In order to accomplish this mission, we have the following objectives:

  • Increase your knowledge of Minnesota's natural and cultural history
  • Develop your ability to convey this knowledge in a variety of educational settings and to a variety of audiences
  • Promote your ability to serve as a steward of the land
  • Help you become more informed, concerned, and proactive about the natural environment
  • Support your growth as a life-long and self-directed learner

Benefits

This program offers a variety of benefits to all involved:

  • Support conservation efforts throughout Minnesota
  • Join a statewide network of trained volunteers in environmental education, interpretation, and service
  • Support and assistance from Master Naturalist staff
  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth
  • The thrill of being a trend-setter
  • Three locally-taught courses that correspond to Minnesota's three major ecosystems: