The Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program, which connects people with their local ecosystems through intensive natural science training and local conservation service work, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020.

Even with the challenges of a pandemic, Master Naturalist volunteers were able to dedicate critical volunteer service to protecting our natural heritage in 2020.

In its new annual report, the PA Master Naturalists highlights how the Program, in partnership with other conservation organizations, accomplished 29 years worth of work in only 10 years.

Among the accomplishments over the last 10 years are--

-- 609 volunteers trained

-- 61,000 hours of service provided

-- $1.4 million value of volunteer service

-- 1,160 miles of waterways improved

-- 5,500 acres restored or conserved

-- 104,000 people reached by education, other programs

Among the calendar year 2020 accomplishments are--

-- 102 volunteers trained

-- 12,009 hours of service

-- $277,049 value of volunteer service

-- 71 miles of waterways improved

-- 2,400 acres restored or conserved

-- 13,950 people reached by education, other programs

Click Here for a copy of the annual report.

Success Stories

Here are several PA Master Naturalist success stories that appeared in the media--

-- Volunteer Linda Ferich: Lancaster's Community Wildlife Habitat certification

-- Volunteer Connie Cammarano: Learning by Nature Project, Berks Nature

-- Volunteer Sarah Levinthal & Verna McGinley: Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy's School In The Park Program

March 10 Raise The Region

Starting March 10 at 6:00 p.m. visit RiseTheReason.org and make a donation to the PA Master Naturalist Program during this 30-hour online fundraising event.

Become a Master Naturalist

Although spring training courses are filled for Allegheny, Berks, Dauphin, Montour and Philadelphia counties, PA Master Naturalist will be scheduling fall training courses.

Click Here for more information.  Click Here to contact the program. 

For more information on the program visit the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program website.  Click Here to sign up for updates.  Follow them on Facebook.

(Reprinted from the Winter PA Master Naturalist newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Other Volunteer Programs

-- Penn State Extension: Master Watershed Steward Program

-- Penn State Extension: Master Well Owner Network

-- Penn State Extension: Master Gardener Program

Check with your county conservation district to see if there are other similar volunteer opportunities available in your community.

[Posted: February 23, 2021]

3/1/2021