SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Kansas Master Naturalist (KMN) Volunteer Training Program is now taking applications for the 2025 class, hosted by K-State Research & Extension – Reno County. The mission of KMN is to develop knowledgeable & dedicated citizens who are active in promoting awareness, understanding & stewardship of the natural heritage of Kansas.
The KMN training course provides more than 40 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction in natural resource concepts. The 2025 class sessions will be held Tuesday afternoons, February 18 through April 22, along with an all-day field trip on Saturday, April 5. Classes will be held in Reno County and surrounding locations. A one-time fee of $100 to participate in the training covers handouts, a reference notebook, and class expenses. In exchange for the training, participants are required to return a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service on environmental projects in their communities.
Training class subjects include:
• Ecology
• Geology
• Soils
• Weather and Climate
• Plants
• Birds
• Insects
• Mammals
• Fish
• Ecosystem Management
• Education and Interpretation
Previous and current Master Naturalist volunteer projects include riverbank restoration, guided hikes, park restoration, hiking trail maintenance, stream surveys, tree inventory, aiding in Citizen Science research, and teaching adult and youth environmental education programs.
More information and application materials can be found on the Reno County Extension website at www.reno.ksu.edu. or by calling 620-662-2371.
Deadline to apply is February 14, 2025.