2025 Indiana Master Naturalist Program - Fort Harrison State Park
Information
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 students are required to attend the first session on April 25th for orientation.
- 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 2025 at all state parks.
- Registration fee is due by March 21st, 2025
Class Schedule:
April 25th Invasive Plant Management, Instructors Sheree Belt and Emilie Sweet
May 2nd Herbaceous Plant Ecology, Instructor Wyatt Williams
May 9th Indiana Geology and Soils, Instructor Jenny Fansler
May 23rd Bats of Indiana, Instructors Brad Westrich and Tim Sheir
May 30th Forest History and Ecology/Tree ID, Instructor Lexi Eiler
June 6th State Parks History and Interpretation, Instructor Emilie Sweet
June 13th Amphibians of Indiana, Instructor Jessica Filer
June 20th Water Quality, Instructor Dylan Allison