The Indiana Master Naturalist Program is an educational/volunteer program developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Purdue Extension Service to provide citizens with hands-on opportunities to learn about Indiana’s natural features and resources.  The purpose of the program is to:

Bring together natural resource specialists with adult learners (18 years and older) to foster an understanding of Indiana’s plants, wildlife, forests, and wetlands, and to promote volunteer service in local communities.

Provide an educational opportunity for course participants to volunteer with a local agency or organization involved in natural resource management.

Important Notes:

• All sessions are scheduled on Fridays, from noon to 3pm. 
• All students are required to attend the first session on April 24th for orientation. This will likely not take the full 3 hours.
• The last session is scheduled for the final exam. The exam not not typically require the full 3 hours to take, but you will have that time to take it should you need it. 
• Students must attend at least 7 of 8 sessions, complete 24 hours of volunteer service with a local or state natural resources organization and complete an open book final exam in order to receive certification and pin.
• All class sessions will meet at the Visitor Center at Fort Harrison State Park, mapping address 6000 N Post Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46216.
• There is a gate fee associated with entering the park that is not included in the class fee. We cannot guarantee when a gate attendant will be on duty to collect the fee, so it is the student’s responsibility to purchase a daily entrance pass or purchase an annual pass that will be valid for 2026 at all state parks.
• Registration fee is due by March 23rd, 2026

Class Schedule:

All classes are from 12p-3p on Friday afternoons, unless otherwise indicated.

April 24th, 2026: Orientation

May1st, 2026: Forest History and Ecology/Tree ID

Instructor: Lexi Eiler-Alwine

May 8th, 2026: Indiana Geology

Instructor: Rachel Walker

May 15th, 2026: Invasive Plants and Management

Instructor: Sheree Belt

May 22nd, 2026: Spider Biology

Instructor: Jody Heaston

May 29th, 2026: Indiana State Parks History and Interpretation

Instructor: Emilie Sweet

June 5th, 2026: Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates

Instructor: Dylan Allison

June 12th, 2026 6:00 PM TO 9:00 PM: Bats of Indiana

Instructor: Tim Shier

June 19th, 2026: Amphibians

Instructor: Jessica Filer

June 26th: Final Exam

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