The Mississippi Master Naturalist Program

Mission

To develop an organization of knowledgeable volunteers to help promote conservation and management of Mississippi’s natural resources through education, outreach, and service within their communities.

Program Objectives

• Improve public understanding of Mississippi’s natural resources and management by developing a pool of local knowledge that can enhance education efforts within local communities.
• To develop a Master Naturalist volunteer network.
• To expand the educational capabilities of Extension by the dissemination of natural resource management information to individuals and groups in the MS community.

Who is a Master Naturalist?

1. An adult interested in nature
2. An adult who wants to learn more about Mississippi’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems.
3. A person who has passion to give back to their community

Past participants have include people from all walks of life including retired professionals, young professionals, stay-at-home parents, nature guides, hunters, nature tourism operators, farmers, and natural resource professionals.

Become a Master Naturalist

The Master Naturalist Program provides natural resource training to individuals in exchange for outreach and service educational efforts in natural resources and environmental awareness programs in your community.

• Register for a Basic Course nearest to you
• Complete 40 hour Basic Course (Field and classroom instruction)
• Obtain at least 8 contact hours of advanced training annually
• Complete 40 hours of volunteer service annually