2026 Master Naturalist Core Training - Perry

2026 Master Naturalist Core Training - Perry
Location

M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center
21629 Highway J Perry, MO

Date

March 05, 2026 at 5:30 PM - June 27, 2026 at 9:00 PM

Pricing
Registration fee required for all participants.

About

The Missouri Master Naturalist program mixes science with service, engaging Missourians in stewardship of the state’s natural resources through science-based education and volunteer community service. 

Participants receive natural resource-based training from natural resource experts on topics including: 
History of Conservation, Natural Communities, Geological History of Missouri, Grassland & Prairies, Ecological Concepts, Birds, Mammals, Insects , Soils , Woodlands And much more! 

During and after training participants have the opportunity to assist with conservation service projects.

March 5th is Orientation at 5:30 pm

Training sessions will be held on Thursdays starting on April 2nd until June 25th at the MW Boudreaux Visitor Center (21629 Hwy J, Perry, MO 63462) from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

3 field exercises will occur on the following Saturdays: April 11th (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM), April 25th (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM), and June 27th (10:00 AM - 12:00PM). 

Cost: $110/person 
Participants must be at least 18-years old to register. 
Class size is limited, and early registration is encouraged.  

Sessions

April 2, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Welcome, Overview of Core Training, History of Conservation, and Missouri’s Biogeographic Regions

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

April 9, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Ecological Concepts and Heroes of Conservation

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

April 11, 2026

  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Field Exercise- Riverview Park Plan and Invasive Species Control

    Location: Riverview Park (505 North 3rd Street, Hannibal, Missouri 63401)

April 16, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Endangered Species of Missouri and the Northeast Region / Missouri Mushrooms

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

April 23, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Insect Ecology and Identification / Foraging

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

April 25, 2026

  • 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Field Exercise- Wildlife Best Management Practices and History of Mark Twain Lake

    Location: Frank Russell Recreational Area (Highway J, Monroe City, Missouri)

April 30, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Invasive Species and Principals of Interpretation

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

May 7, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Birds are Awesome! / Capstone Project Discussion

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

May 14, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Soils and Missouri Mussels

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

May 21, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Forest Ecology and Tree Identification / Nature Journaling

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

May 28, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Wildlife Regulations as a Management Tool / Conservation K-9 Program

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

June 4, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Mark Twain Lake Fisheries Projects and Missouri’s Big River Ecosystems and Historical Uses

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

June 11, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Missouri Geology and the Lincoln Fold / Chapter Website Navigation and Time Keeping

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

June 18, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Wetlands and Reptiles / Chapter bylaws and procedures

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

June 25, 2026

  • 05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT State of MDC / Effective volunteers / Graduation

    Location: MW Boudreaux Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake (21629 Highway J, Perry, Missouri 63462)

June 27, 2026

  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Field Exercise- Hunnewell Fish Hatchery

    Location: Hunnewell Fish Hatchery (6503 State Highway Z, Hunnewell, Missouri 63443) Note: The fish hatchery is located directly across from Hunnewell Lake Dam on Highway Z.

Event Resources