About the Program

The Northwest Piedmont Master Naturalist course consists of 8 field experiences and 7 online classroom sessions.  Field experiences are held once a month on a Saturday in locations around the region from 9 am to 3 pm.  Field experiences typically involve walking 2 to 3 miles, sometimes over uneven terrain, and classes are held regardless of weather unless driving conditions are unsafe. Travel time to locations varies but is usually less than one hour.  Online classes will occur once a month on a Thursday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm via the Zoom platform to reinforce lessons learned in the field.  Recorded classes and additional course materials will be available online through a digital learning platform.

The year-long program offers a spring session (February – May) and a fall session (August – November).  Upon completion of the spring session, the participant becomes a member of the Northwest Piedmont Master Naturalist Association.   Association members will be invited to participate in additional field trips that provide advanced training in specific natural history topics.  To maintain this membership, individuals must complete 40 volunteer hours or two impact projects each year after the initial certification year. Individuals who successfully complete both the spring and fall sessions with attendance at 6 out of the 8 field sessions and who are active volunteers (completing at least 20 volunteer hours in 2024) or who complete an approved Impact Project will be recognized as Certified Master Naturalists at a graduation ceremony in December.

The fee for the course is $300.  This fee covers instruction by our region’s top naturalists, a course manual, a technology fee, a 10x loupe, graduation ceremony, and additional instructional materials and resources. An official nametag and t-shirt will be presented at the graduation ceremony to participants who complete all requirements.  The primary instructors are Ken Bridle, Ph.D., and Chris Marsh, Ph.D., each of whom has over 30 years of experience teaching the natural history and field biology of the Carolinas.

Classes are open to residents over age 18 of Forsyth County and surrounding counties with a keen interest in nature and a desire to make a difference in environmental conservation efforts through volunteerism or their occupation. To ensure high-quality instruction and experiences for all participants, each session will be limited to 24 participants, with a waiting list.  All field experiences are held outdoors and require participants to be in good physical health and able to participate in two, 2-3 mile, moderately paced walks (one before lunch and one after lunch) over uneven or rugged terrain with lengthy periods of standing.

Applications open on December 1, 2023 and are due no later than January 10, 2024. Selected applicants will be notified by February 1, 2024.

Please contact Rebecca Craps at N.C. Cooperative Extension – Forsyth County Center at rlcraps@ncsu.edu or 336-703-2858 if you have any questions or concerns about the requirements or for more information.

N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments cooperating.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, N.C. Cooperative Extension will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Kimberly Gressley at ksgressel@ncsu.edu. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.