Registration

2026 Master Naturalist Training Application

Thank you for your interest in the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program. This program will provide science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards. As a Master Naturalist, you'll earn volunteer hours participating in community science activities, restoration work days, and nature programming. During the training, you'll learn from local and statewide experts to acquire environmental knowledge, interpretation skills, and connect with nature centers across the county.

There is a high volume of interest in the Master Naturalist Program, and we can accept approximately 35 people for each in-person training. The next steps are:

Complete this Master Naturalist Application. Applications close on January 20, 2026.
Once application materials have been reviewed by Extension Staff, you may be invited to listen to a 25-minute information session. You must watch the information session video for your application to be considered. Decisions related to acceptance into the next stage of our application process, including links to the informational session video, will be sent to your email on February 6.
After watching the information session video, you will be invited to schedule a short 30-minute web interview. You will have until February 12 to listen to the informational session video.
Interviews will be scheduled between February 16 - February 27.
Accepted applicants will attend all training sessions from April-June (see dates below)
Complete 60 hours of volunteer service for the Forest Preserves of Cook County within two years.

Please note: We will not be meeting on Memorial Day Weekend

*The specific dates with tentative agenda are as follows:

Date Time Topic
4/4 9-3pm The Naturalist Basics (River Trail Nature Center)
4/11 9:30-2:30pm How Our Land is Formed (Sagawau Environmental Learning Center)
4/18 9:30-2:30pm Prairies and Invasive Species (Sand Ridge Nature Center)
4/25 9:30-11:30am Forests and Botany (Trailside Museum of Natural History)
5/2 9-2pm Ethics in the Environment (Little Red Schoolhouse)
5/9 9:30-12pm Climate Change and DEI (Big Marsh Park)
5/16 9:30-11:30am Water and Restoration (Carl Hansen Woods)
5/30 10-12pm Urban Areas and Wildlife (Wild Mile)
6/7 9-12pm Volunteerism and Interpretation (Volunteer Resource Center)
6/13 9-3pm Putting it all Together (Bemis Woods)

Below, you'll answer a series of questions so that the Cook County Master Naturalist Extension Team can get to know you and understand your fit for the program. Please feel free to answer the questions in whatever format works best for you. This could be in full essay format, bulleted lists, etc. If you prefer a non-written format, please be sure to answer all of the questions in the format of your choosing and submit your non-written application to Sam Jacobs at samj@illinois.edu.

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Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

How did you hear about the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program?

Online

A current or past Master Naturalist

The Forest Preserves of Cook County

Social Media

Some other way (please note below)

What other way did you hear about University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program? fill in this section if you marked "some other way" in the previous question

Have you previously applied to be a part of the Master Naturalist program? Please select the years you have previously applied

I have not previously applied

Yes (2025)

Yes (2024)

Yes (2023)

Yes (2022)

What is your background as it relates to the natural world?

Learned from personal experience or reading

Attended informal classes

Completed some college level courses related to the environment

Work or worked in an environmentally related field

Supervised employees or volunteers in an environmentally related field

Volunteer or volunteered in an environmentally related field

No experience but looking forward to learning

Tell us about your favorite memory of nature.

In this section, tell us why you want to join the Master Naturalist community. Consider the following questions in your answer: Why do you want to become a Master Naturalist? What's pushing you to serve as a volunteer? What measures do you use to seek new knowledge and/or gain new skills?

Describe your experience as a volunteer. Refer to these questions in your description: How would you describe an ideal volunteer? What's motivating you to serve as a volunteer? What do you consider challenging in volunteer work? What role does team work play in volunteering?

Where in Cook County will you volunteer? To view the Cook County Zone Map, please copy and paste the following URL into a new tab on your browser: https://emails.illinois.edu/files/13/1162930413/cookcountymap.png Select any zone that interests you. If you envision yourself working across the whole county, you can check all of the boxes! Included are three locations in each region where Master Naturalists currently volunteer.

Northwest: Crabtree Nature Center, River Trail Nature Center, Carl Hansen Woods

Northeast: Skokie Lagoons, Miami Woods, LaBagh Woods

Central: Trailside Museum of Natural History, Salt Creek Woods, Wolf Road Prairie

East: Burnham Park, Big Marsh Park, Dan Ryan Woods

Southwest: Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Orland Grassland

Southeast: Sand Ridge Nature Center, Bartel Grassland, Beaubien Woods

Please note your special skills and hobbies. Examples include writing, digital media, languages spoken, etc.

In this section, expand on how you see yourself serving as a Master Naturalist and consider these questions: Where do you see yourself volunteering? What volunteering activities interest you the most? What makes a successful Master Naturalist?

How often can you volunteer? Are there certain months when you can volunteer more than others? What days of the week do you prefer to volunteer on?

Are there any questions, comments, requests or special ADA accommodations needed for the interview? Please be specific.

I understand that in order for my application to be considered, I must watch the informational session. This will be sent to you if you are accepted into the second round of the application process. All emails related to the second round of applications will be sent on January 30th.

Yes, I understand attendance of an information session is required

No, I am unable to watch the information session virtually and will contact Sam to make another arrangement

I understand that if admitted into the program, I will be required to attend all Cook County Master Naturalist training classes and complete all assignments and out of class work.

Yes, I understand the commitment of the training course

No, I do not understand the commitment for the training course

I understand that at this time, I am committing to 60 hours of approved volunteer service at Forest Preserves District of Cook County location(s) or with FPCC programs.

Yes, I understand the internship requirement of certifying as a Cook County Master Naturalist

No, I do not understand the internship requirement of certifying as a Cook County Master Naturalist

I understand that if I choose to maintain certification in future years, I would be expected to volunteer at least 30 hours each year and participate in 10 hours of continuing education.

Yes, I understand the certification requirements of a Master Naturalists

No, I do not understand the certification requirements of a Master Naturalists

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Gender

Ethnicity

Race