Illinois Master Naturalists graduate 21 new natural resource volunteers; 13 are from Adams County

QUINCY — The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists welcomed 21 volunteers to its ranks on May 16. Adams County will benefit from 13 new Master Naturalists, Hancock County with four, Pike County with two and Schuyler and Peoria counties each with one new volunteer.

Students within the class successfully completed nine weeks of training to better share their passion about the environment and nature with their communities. Experts from the University of Illinois and natural resource partners led 12 hours of classroom instruction and 19 hours of field work along with 10 hours of self-study to cover the prairie state’s natural history and environmental issues.

In a press release, Amy Lefringhouse, Illinois Extension Natural Resource educator, said, “We relaunched the program this year and our class is exceptionally passionate and motivated. I learned just as much from the participants as I did from our classes. I look forward to seeing what the new class will contribute to their communities.”

The Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program is designed for adults who want to impact their community by serving as an environmental steward and naturalist. The new volunteers will work toward completing 60 hours of service during the next two years with partner organizations such as the Quincy Art Center, Boy Scouts, Carthage and Hamilton Park Districts, Western Illinois University’s Kibbe Research Station and Jensen Woods Camp.

To learn more about the Master Naturalist program or if you’re interested in signing up for the next training, contact program coordinators Amy Lefringhouse or Kinsey Tiemann at 217-223-8380 or visit go.illinois.edu/WCILMasterNaturalist.