The Kentucky Master Naturalist (KYMN) program was developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension with valuable input from stakeholders at public and private organizations whose interests align with the mission of the KYMN program. The mission of the KYMN program is to develop a cohort of well-informed volunteers to advance education, research, and outreach efforts dedicated to the conservation and management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Becoming a KY Master Naturalist Volunteer requires an initial training with 40 hours of combined classroom and field instruction and 40 hours of approved volunteer service.  

The program was piloted in Jefferson and Fayette counties in 2018 and 2019 where 35 participants completed the program to be a certified Kentucky Master Naturalist. In 2021 we (Ellen Crocker and Laurie Thomas) rolled the program out state-wide by offering it to all UK Cooperative Extension agents, associates, specialists, and assistants for CEUs. The participants had to complete 15 of the 17 classes to earn certification as a Kentucky Master Naturalist and a certificate within CES that can be added toward their career ladder. The classes were offered via Zoom from February to May each Friday and the sessions were recorded for those participants that could not join live. The classes covered core content related to the Kentucky Master Naturalist Program with new instructors/speakers each week including Ecoregions of Kentucky, Ecological Concepts, Archeology, Geology, Soils, Entomology, Weather and Climate, Water Resources, Botany (woody and herbaceous), Safety and Health, Invasive Species, Wildlife, Environmental Education and Ethics, Citizen Science and Outdoor Learning Environments. All the recorded sessions and additional learning material was made available through the KYMN website About | KY Master Naturalist Volunteer Program (uky.edu)

More than 100 agents, specialists, associates, and assistants participated in the program and sessions averaged with more than 70 participants viewing live each week. 72 of the participants completed at least 15 of the programs and quizzes to become a certified Kentucky Master Naturalist and received a certificate toward their CES career ladder. After this training, participants reported that:

• 64% are likely to lead a naturalist-related program
• 57% are likely to host a naturalist-related series
• 44% are likely to be involved in the formation of a local master naturalist chapter
• 58% are likely to engage master naturalist volunteers in your programming in the future

After the program, participants reported that they were likely to use the information they learned in:

• Field visits (31%)
• Articles and newsletters (24%)
• Programming and presentations (40%)

The KYMN program continues this summer and fall with additional Zoom classes and in-person field trips for all past graduates and the current cohort. The fall of 2021, the KYMN program will be offered to the general public via Zoom and numerous in-person field days with the assistance of certified KYMN graduates from the CES cohort.