Oregon's landscapes define the people and wild species that call our state home. If you want to learn about the natural history, ecology, and natural resource management practices of Oregon, become an Oregon Master Naturalist. Our training takes place both online and on-location in Oregon’s beautiful outdoors.
Master Naturalists Make a Difference
65,000+
Volunteer Hours
500+
Organizations & Programs Impacted
770,000+
Oregonians Reached
Land Acknowledgement
The Oregon Master Naturalist Program studies the vast and diverse ecosystems of Oregon. These landscapes shape the way we see and experience Oregon as naturalists. We acknowledge that the places we visit as learners are the ancestral homelands of more than 60 distinct Indigenous tribes and bands representing many cultures and languages. Indigenous peoples have called Oregon home for time immemorial, and the varied and diverse landscapes and natural resources shaped who these people are. When white settlers came to Oregon, they were forcibly and violently removed from their lands to make way for settlement of the state. We acknowledge that Indigenous people are still here and thriving on their ancestral lands, honor their traditional ecological knowledge and stewardship of the Earth, and commit to an ongoing partnership and engagement with indigenous communities to create authentic learning experiences and teaching of this knowledge through our courses.
To learn more, visit the Native Lands mapping site to find out upon whose lands you live, and watch the Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon Experience episode "Broken Treaties, An Oregon Experience".
Returning to Normal
Now that rollout of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is underway, people are asking us when we'll start offering in-person courses. While normal activities are slowing returning, the Oregon Master Naturalist Program continues to operate according to rules governed by OSU safety guidelines and the State of Oregon. Some of our local planning committees are gearing up to offer modified in-person learning, while others are choosing to wait another year. Updates on individual in-person courses can be viewed by clicking on the link below. Thank you for your patience as we continue to ensure healthy and safe communities and learning environments.
Are you interested in becoming a Master Naturalist?
Do you love the outdoors? Do you want to learn more about natural history and the management of Oregon's natural resources -- and volunteer your time in service for Oregon’s natural places? By becoming a Master Naturalist you:
- Learn science-based information: The natural history of plants, animals, habitats, and geology. The history and processes of landscape change. And relevant topics in present-day sustainable natural resource management.
- Grow your community: Meet beginner and expert naturalists in your area.
- Share your love of the land: Help others learn about Oregon’s outdoors.
- Make an impact: Volunteer for natural resources programs, agencies, and organizations in your community.
Photo by: Michelle Sager (Cropped from original)
What people are say about their involvement in the Master Naturalist Program
Our stories
Read the Corps of Discovery article and watch The Nature of Oregon video from OSU's Terra Magazine
About
The OSU Extension Master Naturalist Program enhances a sense of place and increases knowledge about and connection to the natural environment for all Oregonians. The program provides transformative, science-based, experiential learning in outdoor settings, and it encourages service that protects and supports ecosystems and community wellbeing in Oregon.
The Program provides an opportunity to learn about natural resources through the study of scientifically sound information: the natural history of plants, animals, habitats, and geology, the history and processes of landscape change, as well as the most relevant topics in present-day sustainable natural resource management. Participants volunteer for natural resources programs, agencies, organizations, and other groups in their communities.
The Oregon Master Naturalist Program is an OSU Extension Forestry and Natural Resources program, established in 2009.