MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Kansas Master Naturalists continue to play a vital role in conservation, education, and environmental stewardship across the state, while a new South Central Kansas training class is set to begin in early 2026.
A Kansas Master Naturalist (KMN) is a trained volunteer who provides expertise and hands-on service for natural resource projects that benefit local communities. Volunteers complete specialized training in Kansas natural resource concepts and, in return, commit their time and skills to a wide range of conservation and educational efforts.
Since the program’s launch in 2011, Kansas Master Naturalists have contributed more than 1,800 volunteer hours and reached over 25,500 people through community service and outreach. The program is designed to multiply the impact of natural resource work by equipping volunteers with the knowledge needed to support local, state, and national initiatives.
Master Naturalist projects span a broad range of activities, including youth and adult education programs, bee removal, riverbank restoration, park restoration at the national, state, and city levels, native plant establishment, and the installation and maintenance of nature trails.
Training for Kansas Master Naturalists is offered in the spring of even-numbered years. The upcoming 2026 South Central Kansas Master Naturalist training class will be held Tuesday afternoons from February 17 through April 21, 2026. The course also includes an all-day field trip scheduled for Saturday, April 11.
Organizers say the program not only strengthens conservation efforts but also builds a network of informed volunteers dedicated to protecting and enhancing Kansas’ natural resources for future generations.