At the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, there’s a program dedicated to the conservation and management of natural resources in the Commonwealth. 

The Kentucky Master Naturalist (KYMN) program, part of the UK Cooperative Extension Service and housed in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, is inviting all to apply for the next cohort, which will begin in January 2026. Application deadline is Nov. 23. 

“We are excited to build the next Kentucky Master Naturalist class, advancing our vision of more people across Kentucky connecting with nature on a deeper level,” said Ellen Crocker, KYMN state coordinator and forest health Extension specialist. “Through different education, outreach and research efforts, this cohort will receive the skills and knowledge they need to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts in their own communities.”  

Since the program’s inception, KYMN volunteers have visited community gardens, green spaces, schools, citizen science projects and state/national parks to help restore habitats, remove invasive species, develop communities and more. In 2024, the KYMN program logged more than 7,300 volunteer hours. 

For Laurie Thomas, KYMN state coordinator and Extension forester, this program is all about people who want to be a “good steward” of the environment. 

“We want to develop a good community of people who are informed and dedicated to improving their communities and contribute more to Kentucky,” Thomas said. “Our graduates leave inspired and with a sense of renewed responsibility in supporting Kentucky’s natural resources and environment.” 

One of those graduates, Dan Stone, a retired professor from the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics, believes the program is a “fun, interesting and educational” experience. 

“The Kentucky Master Naturalist is a fantastic program,” Stone said. “I learned about conservation and environmental management, importance of soils to environmental health, role of archaeology in conserving Kentucky’s cultural heritage and Kentucky’s rich resources in native freshwater fish. There is nothing more fun than hanging out in the woods, or on a lake, or in the mountains, with people who love the natural world.” 

For Barbara Navarra, an active volunteer and environmental educator at Blackacre Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead in Louisville, being a graduate is meaningful. 

“I have gained so much about many areas of the natural world and how they interact,” Navarra said. “As a Master Naturalist, I have the knowledge and resources to conduct what I consider to be legacy work at Blackacre — working toward creating beautiful and peaceful woodlands in the middle of an urban sprawl, and passing on my love and care for the natural world to visitors of all ages.” 

Application steps and expectations 

The program requires 20 class sessions virtually (on Zoom), along with several field training opportunities, covering subjects from soil health, wildlife management and water quality to environmental education and field safety. Additionally, participants must volunteer for 40 hours. To maintain the Kentucky Master Naturalist certification, at least 40 volunteer hours and eight continuing education hours every year are required yearly. 

The cost is $200, and scholarships are available. The cohort is limited and typically receives more applicants than space available. Thus, applicants are encouraged to apply early and demonstrate their interest in becoming a Kentucky Master Naturalist. 

To date, the Kentucky Master Naturalist program has completed seven cohorts with more than 450 graduates. Each year, the program invites their graduates to stay connected by participating in upcoming trainings and field trips, seeking volunteer opportunities, reporting their service hours and attending the annual conference.  

To learn more about the Kentucky Master Naturalist program, visit https://naturalist.mgcafe.uky.edu. To apply for the program, visit https://bit.ly/434IeSJ.  

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Writer: Christopher Carney, Christopher.Carney@uky.edu    

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