Summer 2027 Master Naturalist Certification II Course

Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

REGISTER HERE registration coming January 1. 2027

This course is for anyone who has certified as a Master Naturalist in Montana or elsewhere or has the professional/academic background to begin with a level II course. This level II certification course consists of at  of instruction in a mix of lectures, in-class labs, and outdoor field trips. We will build on the foundations established in our Master Naturalist level I course by advancing skills in topics such as birding by ear, nature journalling, plant family ID, grasses, ecology, and invertebrate ID.

If you are taking this for your initial certification you will have pre-course and homework throughout the week to reach the requred 40 hours of content.

The course will be taught by an amazing selection of instructors, all experts in their field.

More information coming soon.

The class will be be based at the Montana Natural History Center. Travel to field sites will be by MNHC bus. Activity level will be easy to moderate with potential extended time standing and/or sitting in the field.

Registration Information:

• Cost: $450/$425 members
• Full payment due upon registration.The course fee (minus a $100 administrative fee) is refundable ONLY if a cancellation is made 30 days before the first day of class.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline.
• Some scholarships are available–please contact us at 406.327.0405 for details

Master Naturalist Certification requirements:

• Full attendance
• Complete your field journal and final exercise
• If you want to maintain your certification in years to come (and earn successive Master Naturalist pins), you’ll have to log 20 hours of volunteer service per year with organizations connected to the natural world, as well as 8 hours of continuing education per year.

For more information on volunteer service & continuing education requirements, click here.

Recommended Materials:

The only required material is a blank journal. We will provide details and recommendations for your journal on the first day of class. Everything else can be borrowed or used in class from our supply. Each student will receive a Master Naturalist Handbook.

• binoculars (we have plenty to borrow)
• hand lens or loupe
• blank journal (required)
• micron or small Sharpie pen
• colored pencils or watercolor pencils
• bird guide such as Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
• Botany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel
• plant/flower guide such as Wildflowers of Montana or Plants of the Rocky Mountains
• insect guide such as Kaufman’s Guide to Insects of North America