Welcome to the Arkansas Master Naturalists Website.  For more information about our chapter click here.

Want to become a Arkansas Master Naturalist?

Becoming a Master Naturalist involves attending at least forty hours of initial training on Arkansas animals, plants, geology and conservation.

To become a Certified Master Naturalist you would then complete at least forty hours of volunteer work and eight hours of advanced training each year.

Area chapter classes will resume January 2010.  To obtain an application for a chapter in your area, please refer to the following information and download the application. 

	Central	Arkansas Master Naturalists	"Class Schedule"	"Download Application"
		Questions: by email contact Jay Justice or by phone @ 501-794-2669
	North Central	Arkansas Master Naturalists	"Class Schedule"	"Download Application"
		Questions: by email contact Dwan Garrison or by phone @ 870-688-0961
	Northwest	Arkansas Master Naturalists	"Class Schedule"	"Download Application"
		Questions: by email contact Ralph Weber or by phone @ 479-254-8262
new	River Valley	Arkansas Master Naturalists	"Class Schedule"	"Download Application"
		Questions: by email contact Anne Massey or by phone @ 501-666-1411

The Program

The Arkansas Master Naturalist program is a volunteer organization dedicated to educating its members and giving back to the community through volunteer work.

Levels in the Master Naturalist Program:

• Naturalist-in-training (NIT) - a person currently taking the 40 hours of required naturalist training.
• Master Naturalist -  a person who completes the required training.
• Certified Master Naturalist - a person who has 1) Performed 40 hours of volunteer work (see volunteer page for more information); and 2) Acquires 8 hours of Advanced Training each year.

Training

Training will take the form of both classroom lectures and practical application of newly acquired skills.  The subject matter covered will vary considerably but will focus on our natural world. Areas that will be covered include entomology, ornithology, herpetology, geology, archeology, botany, trail design and maintenance, stream quality evaluation and testing, and more.

Fifty four hours of classroom and outdoor instruction will be offered on Saturdays of which the NITs will need to attend forty hours.

Check the chapter class training schedule in your area for specific dates and times.  

Cost first year is: $160.00

•  $135 covers the cost of training,  literature materials, t-shirt, and  name tag 
•  annual dues - $25.00 based on a fiscal year of 1 June to 30 May.

 Registration

• We recommend applying early to reserve your spot in the program.
• We can only accept a limited number of people. 
• Please print and fill out the chapter application for your area.
• to download an application see the chapter "Download Application" area above.