Become a Maryland Master Naturalist!

The Class of 2022 is FULL!

If you wish to be placed on the waitlist, please send an email to landmanager@acltweb.org

Classes are held March – June 2021
at the American Chestnut Land Trust

Share your love of nature! A “Master Naturalist” is a citizen scientist who is dedicated to the care and conservation of Maryland’s natural environment. Certified Master Naturalists share their knowledge with the community through guided hikes and canoe trips, create and improve habitat for wildlife, work with scientists to monitor the health of our land and waterways, find and help remove invasive species that are damaging our native plants, and so much more!

2017 Graduating Class Photo
2017 Master Naturalist Class!

HES-visit-kids-and-wildflowers-IMG-1616
Sharing your knowledge with the next generation

Canoe net-pull method
Paddle the creek for our fish survey

IMG_20170414_135046
Improving habitat with bird boxes

Chuck - Guided-Hike GS
Guided hike with the scouts!

IMG_4814
Careful handling of snapping turtles 2

IMG_4784
Safe handling of copperheads. Master Naturalists know!

dendro class
Into the woods to learn about trees

md-master-nat-group-pic
The heart of ACLT!!! We love our Master Naturalists!

In-person classes are held outside due to COVID

Maryland Master Naturalist Class

General Info:

Classes will take place on Monday evenings from 6-9 pm from late-February through the beginning of June. Classes are normally held at the ACLT office in Prince Frederick; however, until it is safe to meet in person, all classes will be held online. The class schedule will be adjusted for the Memorial Day holiday.
The following additional classes/field trips will be held in addition to the regular schedule (dates to be determined):
- Herp Hunt
- Ornithology Field Trip
- Dendrology Field Trip
- Canoe Trip on Parkers Creek
Classes cover Maryland natural history topics such as geology, birds, mammals, Chesapeake Bay issues, fresh and saltwater ecology, tree identification, and many more.
To become and remain certified as a Maryland Master Naturalist, participants must complete at least 40 volunteer service hours per year at ACLT, Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust, or Calvert County Natural Resources/Calvert Nature Society – time well spent improving wildlife habitat, helping with research projects, caring for the land and helping the natural world, and educating the public!
The class fee is $250 and is not due until after acceptance into the program.

Registration is now closed!

Click here to complete the application and be placed on the waitlist.

OR you may download the application here
and email it to:
landmanager@acltweb.org
or mail it to:
ACLT, P.O. Box 2363, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Want to know what the class experience is like? Check out our blog post from former ACLT staff member Mike Molina.

Have questions about the 2021 class? Contact ACLT Land Manager and Program Coordinator, Autumn Phillips-Lewis, at 410-414-3400 or at landmanager@acltweb.org

More Info on Maryland Master Naturalist Program