Local Master Naturalists dedicate 450 hours to projects in Adams, Hancock and Pike counties

QUINCY — The Illinois Master Naturalists program has an impact on forests, waters and people.

More than 880 Master Naturalists put in more than 73,000 hours last year removing invasive species, monitoring the health of waterways, raising and releasing monarch butterflies, teaching youths about the environment and investing in the future of our natural areas.

Locally, Illinois Extension celebrated the first graduating class since 2016. The class of Master Naturalists collectively dedicated 450 hours to natural resource projects in Adams, Hancock and Pike counties.

Projects were:

• Removing invasive plant species for Carthage Park
• Enhancing the construction of a nature trail Carthage at Carthage Lake
• Infusing natural vibrancy into a native prairie garden at the John Wood Mansion
• Empowering minds with environmental knowledge through nature workshops at Girl Scout Day Camp in Hamilton and Camp Saukenauk Boy Scout Camp, and
• Cleaning up the John Wood Community College nature trail and butterfly garden.

In a press release, Beth Young, volunteer garden coordinator for the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County, said, “Our prairie garden has added a different educational option to our tours. Visitors can see plants which they normally do not encounter, such as rattlesnake master, big bluestem and compass plant. Having recent Master Naturalist graduates … as caretakers for this plot will improve it even more.”

The Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program leverages the expertise of university scientists and natural resource partners to train adult volunteers to be environmental advocates. The goal is to empower nature enthusiasts and help them put research into action wherever they live.

The Illinois Master Naturalist Blog Post can be found at: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/naturalist-news/2024-04-02-master-naturalists-put-research-action-around-state-and-your.

Learn how you can be a positive force for change by becoming an Illinois Extension Master Naturalist. For more information, contact program coordinators Amy Lefringhouse or Kinsey Tiemann at 217-223-8380. Fill out an interest form at go.illinois.edu/MNInterest.