Georgia
Master Naturalist Program
Program Overview.
The Georgia Master Naturalist program is offered through the University of Georgia’s extension program at numerous sites across the state. Each site runs the program differently based on their ecological location and scheduling preference, but the core of the program is the same across programs: hands-on environmental education courses exploring ecosystems in Georgia and human impacts on those environments. A minimum of 48 hours of program instruction is required to complete the program and be considered a Master Naturalist of Georgia, though no official certification is attached.
Lockerly Arboretum offers a unique design to our Master Naturalist program. We offer 10 different core classes, each providing a minimum of 8 instruction hours. Though an individual will successfully complete the 48-hour requirement after only 6 classes, participation in all 10 is encouraged for a more complete education on the natural systems of Georgia. Each course consists of a Friday evening lecture at Lockerly Arboretum followed by a full day Saturday in the field getting hands-on experience in the course topic. Dinner Friday evening and lunch Saturday are included in the cost of each class. We offer each of the 10 core courses only once every two years, so at minimum it would take an individual approximately a year to complete the 48 hour requirement, but you are welcome to take as long as you like to work through the classes. Courses may be taken in any order you choose based on convenience. They are listed below in order they are currently scheduled to be offered (though for the courses further in the future, these are subject to change).
