UK Happenings

New UK Program Offers Opportunities to Learn About State’s Natural Resources

two students studying plants
Kentucky residents with a passion to discover more about their natural world now have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of it thanks to the Kentucky Master Naturalist program. Photo by Carol Lea Spence.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 25, 2021) — Kentucky residents with a passion to discover more about their natural world now have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of it thanks to the Kentucky Master Naturalist program. Registration is open for a fall Zoom series with classes on everything from the state’s archaeology to its wildlife. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension-led program will include 15 classes aimed at making its participants stewards of the state’s natural resources.  

Classes begin at 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 3 and occur at the same time each Friday through Dec. 17. The new program consists of 40 hours of online-based learning, fieldwork and volunteer hours with continuing education available. The format is similar to the Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program. The Kentucky Master Naturalist program aims to develop a cohort of educated volunteers to advance education, research and outreach efforts related to the conservation and management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. 

“I think it's a great opportunity for anybody who's interested in different topics like archaeology, geology, soil, entomology, weather, climate, water resources and botany,” said Ellen Crocker, assistant professor of forest health extension in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “It's a great opportunity for anybody who's interested in those kinds of things, to not only learn more, but to meet other people who they can continue to learn from and share their passion.” 

The 1.5 hour live sessions will be recorded to give the students the option to watch at their convenience. Each class will consist of an hour-long teaching segment followed by a half hour of question and answers. 

“Our goal is for these master naturalists to work with natural areas and different groups in their local areas,” Crocker said. “We believe that will really have a positive impact on communities and nature. I’m really excited to be part of starting this program in Kentucky.” 

To learn more about the Kentucky Master Naturalist Program, visit https://naturalist.ca.uky.edu/ or email Forestry.Extension@uky.edu.  

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.