Register Now: Master Naturalist Program

It is time to register for the Master Naturalist program, according to Jennifer Fishburn, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension. The program is designed to train volunteers in natural resources, so they can become natural area stewards, educators, and advocates.

The program provides science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and helps them become engaged environmental stewards. The following subjects will be taught during the program: Ecological Concepts, Botany, Geology, Anthropology, Forest Ecology, Grassland Ecology, Ornithology, Mammology, Herpetology, Entomology, and Aquatic systems.

The Master Naturalist program is a combination of education and volunteer service. With the help of local experts, the U of I Extension provides the educational support for the program, while the volunteer service time will be done with the Lincoln Memorial Garden, Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, and Friends of Sangamon Valley.

Examples of volunteer service projects include: leading workshops and hikes for children and adults, writing brochures, restoration of natural areas and conducting bird surveys.

The classes will meet every Wednesdays, August 31 to November 2, from 9 am to 4 pm. There are two scheduled Saturday field trips for hands on training.

Space is limited and interested applicants should apply immediately. The fee covering classroom sessions and field training, handouts and the Master Naturalist manual is $175.00.

For additional information, please call 217-782-4617. The program will be held at a variety of locations in Sangamon and Menard Counties. If a special accommodation is needed to attend, please notify when registering.

Earth Week Volunteer Opportunity with Living Lands and Waters

Volunteers Needed


Living Lands & Waters (LL&W), Chad Pregracke’s non-profit environmental organization, started The MillionTrees Project in 2007 and has established a nursery in Beardstown, IL where more than 2oo,ooo Oak tree saplings have been grown.

160,000 acorns are ready to be planted and LL&W needs your help!!

Friday, April 22 8:30am-4pm

Earth Day…Perfect!!

Located at 8295 Arenzville Road (Cargill), Beardstown, IL

LL&W and volunteers will be using rakes to move top soil and replace the soil once the acorns are placed in the trenches.

Contact Sarah at 319.594.3688 or Sarah@livinglandsandwaters.org to sign up and/or for any questions you might have.

10/10/10 Global Work Party Pics

Yesterday, I headed to Jubilee Farm in New Berlin to participate in one of Springfield's 10/10/10 Global Work Party events. I arrived just in time to see a group of bicyclists from the Springfield Bike Club pull into the farm on their 10/10/10 ride.

The timing was terrific, as it allowed me to snap photos of the bike gang with the Jubilee sign (and a 350, in honor of the event, of course).

Then I got to work helping to build the hoop houses Jubilee Farm is putting up to extend the growing season. The weather was perfect and, although the crowd that stuck around to get to work was small, we made some great progress.

Sadly, I didn't get to stay for the final touches--that is, covering the hoop houses with plastic. But that just gives me an excuse to go back to the farm another day and check out the finished product.

Speaking of which, just because the big 350.org event is over doesn't mean the volunteer opportunities are done. The sisters at Jubilee Farm are always looking for volunteers to help with farm chores, including building the other hoop house. So please, go visit and lend a hand!

Can you believe this was only one of 7,347 events in the world yesterday? Crazy, isn't it, what people can do when they join together for a great cause?