Forestry
About the Alabama Master Naturalist (AMN) Program
The Alabama Master Naturalist program is a statewide program that strives to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Alabama’s natural world to the state’s residents and visitors through science-based information and research. The program also develops a statewide corps of well-informed volunteers who provide education, outreach, and services. These volunteers are dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.
Full or part-time Alabama residents (over 18 years old) who are interested in nature, enjoy the outdoors, and have a desire to help with natural resource management and conservation are perfect candidates to become an Alabama Master Naturalist. The program is open to adults who reside or work in Alabama for at least part of the year. It is open to all adults regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
Become a Certified Alabama Master Naturalist
Becoming a certified AMN requires three steps:
- Complete the online training course (22 topic modules).
- Attend two field days. Scheduled field days are regularly advertised to program participants.
- Log 30 volunteer hours in Alabama before applying for certification.
Course Format
The online training course is asynchronous, and you can truly work at your own pace. Volunteer opportunities can be found with approved organizations, like Alabama State Parks, and projects. The Alabama Master Naturalist program will help facilitate volunteer connections for participants if needed. Volunteering is on whatever schedule works best for each participant. Regarding field days, we do our best to schedule them around the state so no participant needs to travel too far to meet this requirement.
Registration
Registration: aces.catalog.auburn.edu/courses/alabama-master-naturalist
The course fee is $135. Participants are responsible for purchasing copies of A Sand County Almanac and Southern Wonder.
More Information
For more information about the Alabama Master Naturalist program, contact Wesley Anderson, the program coordinator, at wma0016@aces.edu, or Emily Burchfield at erb0039@auburn.edu. More information is also available on the Alabama Master Naturalist Facebook page.
