Indiana Master Naturalist 2025
Become An Indiana Master Naturalist
Interested and intrigued by nature and the environment? Want to learn more about Indiana’s natural resources and share this information with others?
The Indiana Master Naturalist Program is an educational/volunteer program developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to provide citizens with hands-on opportunities to learn about our state’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, water, soils, and wildlife, and promote natural resource volunteer service within the State of Indiana.
- Provide an educational opportunity for course participants by volunteering with a local agency or organization involved in natural resource management.
- In Allen County Indiana, this program is sponsored by Fox Island Alliance, Allen County Parks and PFW Environmental Resource Center.
To find more information on classes and other sites hosting IMN classes click here
Program Information:
The sessions begin on Tuesday, January 21st and end on Saturday, May 10th with a Native Tree Hike at Metea County Park.
The Orientation Meeting on Tuesday evening, January 21st at Metea County Park is an essential part of the program. Please notify me if you cannot attend that night.
Participants must complete at least 8 classes of the 13 classes offered plus the Orientation, complete weekly quizzes, and accumulate 24 hours of volunteer work to obtain Indiana Master Naturalist Certification and a pin. Any session that includes an academic presentation on Tuesday and a hike on Saturday is considered ONE session.
Class size is limited to 30 applicants. Space is reserved on a first-come first-served basis.
** Hiking sessions will require moderate walking.
Important: Your registration form needs to be mailed or emailed to Tori Mumaw immediately to secure a place in the 2025 IMN session. See application for address. The registration fee is due the evening of the orientation (Tuesday, January 21st).
Money may not be returned after orientation unless there are extenuating circumstances. These non-refundable fees can be applied to future IMN programs either in Allen County or at other IMN state sites.
If you have special needs, please indicate on the registration form, or call us at (260)312-3069 prior to the orientation session.
Fox Island Alliance is a volunteer not- for- profit organization.
Questions? Contact Tori Mumaw at (260) 312-3069 mumawvictoria@gmail.com or Jeff Ormiston at (260) 414-2538
To download and print this information and an application click here
| Date | Topic | Instructor(s) | Time | Location |
| 01/21 | Orientation /Hands on Nature | Jody Heaston | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Metea |
| 01/25 | Geology | Tony Fleming | 8:30am – 2:00 pm | Fox Island |
| 01/28 | Entomology | Kate Sanders | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Metea |
| 02/04 | Conservation and Restoration | Ben Hess | 6:00 pm- 9:30 pm | Metea |
| 02/11 | Reptiles and Amphibians | Dr. Bruce Kingsbury | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | ERC |
| 02/18 | Mammals | Dr. Scott Bergeson | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | ERC |
| 02/25 | Forest Ecology | Dr. Jordan Marshall | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | ERC |
| 03/04 | Native American/Early Naturalist | Greta Sirois / Teri Lehman | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Metea |
| 03/11 | Break | |||
| 03/18 | Wetlands | Kate Sanders | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Fox Island |
| 03/22 | Wetlands Hike | Kate Sanders | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Fox Island |
| 03/25 | Break | |||
| 04/01 | Break | |||
| 04/08 | Lake and Stream Ecology | Tori Mumaw | 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm | Metea |
| 04/12 | Historic Walk | Pam George | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm | Downtown FW |
| 04/22 | Wildflowers | Jeff Ormiston/Bob Dispenza | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Metea |
| 04/26 | Wildflower Hike | Jeff Ormiston/Bob Dispenza | 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon | Metea |
| 04/29 | Birds/Osprey | Ed & Cynthia Powers/John Meier | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Metea |
| 05/03 | Bird Hike | Ed & Cynthia Powers/Rachel Pyle | 9:00 am – 12 noon | Metea |
| 05/06 | Native Trees | Tim Ormiston/Jeff Ormiston | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Metea |
| 05/10 | Native Tree Hike | Tim Ormiston/Jeff Ormiston | 9:00 am – 12 noon | Metea |