Members

Spring Core 24:
Fridays, 5pm-9pm and Saturdays, 9am-5pm
April 4th-5th & April 11th-12th, 2025
Valparaiso, Ne
Tuition Cost: $200.00

Are you passionate about the great outdoors? Do you want to deepen your understanding of Nebraska's unique ecosystems and wildlife? Then join us for an incredible opportunity to become a Nebraska Master Naturalist!

Nebraska Master Naturalist is a statewide program that recruits, trains and manages naturalist volunteers. Master naturalists gain a network of peers with shared interests and receive unique continuing education experiences focused on nature and conservation. They also are invited to volunteer in a variety of education, stewardship, community science and recreation opportunities around the state. To date, the Nebraska Master Naturalists Program has trained over 680 naturalists that have contributed over 100,000 volunteer hours supporting Nebraska’s wildlife and wild spaces.

Our training programs offer an immersive experience like no other, combining fascinating coursework, hands-on field trips, and meaningful volunteer opportunities.

Whether you're a seasoned environmentalist or just starting your journey, this program is perfect for anyone eager to make a positive impact on our local environment. By becoming a Nebraska Master Naturalist, you'll gain valuable knowledge about native plants, wildlife habitats, conservation principles, and so much more. Plus, you'll have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for nature and stewardship.

The Core 24 Training format provides 24 hours of foundational classroom content and field activities that allows you to achieve “Master Naturalist In-Training” status. Once the Core training is complete you have until December 31st of the following year to complete 36 hours of continuing Education opportunities to earn your Certified Status. Continuing Education opportunities are organized and presented by the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program, Program Partners, as well as other organizations that support our mission.

Core 24 Training content areas can include: Flora of Nebraska, Fauna of Nebraska, Natural Resource Interpretation, Human Dimensions, Conservation Biology & Ecology, and Wetland Ecology, and Geology.

The Complete Training format provides the required 60 hours of classroom content and field activities that allows you to achieve “Certified Nebraska Master Naturalist” status after participating in the full week of training.

Complete Training content areas can include: Natural Resource Interpretation, Conservation Biology and Ecology, Outdoor Skills, Resource Management, Citizen Science, Reptiles Amphibians Turtles, Mammals, Insects, Aquatic Ecosystems, Geology, Grasslands Ecology, Woodland Ecology, Human Dimensions/Naturalist Ethics.

For questions contact the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program Coordinator, jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.