The PA Master Naturalist Program has scheduled training sessions to help local community leaders promote natural resource conservation education, citizen science and stewardship in Berks, Bucks and Chester counties.

Pennsylvania Master Naturalist is a citizen volunteer initiative with three key components: an initial 55-hour volunteer training, annual volunteer service, and continuing education in the natural sciences.

The new training sessions will start August 18 in Chester County, August 25 in Berks County and September 15 in Bucks County.

Master Naturalist volunteers design and pursue a wide variety of service projects from habitat restoration and native plantings, to nature walks and interpretive displays or publications on natural history, to water quality monitoring and supporting the natural resource conservation efforts of partnering organizations.

Since 2010, Pennsylvania Master Naturalist volunteers in Southeastern Pennsylvania have:

-- engaged in more than 6,300 hours of conservation service;

-- contributed $140,700 in conservation value and impact to numerous regional partners;

-- reached over 9,000 people through education and outreach initiatives;

-- improved 330 acres of habitat through stewardship service; and

-- dedicated themselves to 2,300 hours of continuing education in the natural sciences.

For an application and more information, visit the PA Master Naturalist Program website.

5/18/2015