Missouri Master Naturalist Course in Kirksville
Location
Missouri Deparment of Conservation Northeast Regional Office
3500 S. Baltimore St. Kirksville, MO
Date
August 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM - November 19, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Pricing
About
The Missouri Master Naturalist program is a community-based natural resource education and volunteer service program for adults, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri Extension. Its purpose is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Missouri.
The course will be held at the Missouri Department of Conservation Northeast Regional Office at 3500 S. Baltimore Street, Kirksville, MO.
There will be 12 classes, starting on September 3 and ending November 19.
There will be 3-4 Saturday field sessions. These will be announced in class.
There will be a Class Orientation on Thursday, August 13 at 5:30 pm.
Time is 5:30-9 pm.
The cost is $110.
Sessions
Aug. 13, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Orientation
Orientation to the course and volunteering.
Location: Northeast Regional Office Missouri Department of Conservation
Sept. 3, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 1-Role of MU Extension, History of Conservation, Role of Master Naturalists
You will have a brief overview of the learning objectives from orientation. You will hear the specific role our University of MO Extension Advisor has with our North Star Chapter. Historical overview of resources and use. Volunteers will learn that what they see on the landscape today is different that what is was . This is due to humans changing natural processes of the ecosystems. It will be explained how we know what was here prior to settlement and how exploitation of resources led to conservation as it exists today. The role of Master Naturalists will be discussed.
Location: Northeast Regional Office Missouri Department of Conservation
Sept. 10, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 2-Wildlife Regulations and the role of law enforcement; K-9 demonstration
Learn how Conservations agents utilize K-9’s in the field of conservation law enforcement. Learn how MDC regulations are enforced.
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Sept. 17, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 3-Natural divisions/eco-regions overview Habitat Ecological concepts and Systems
Native seed collection and planting, including a walk of the Northeast Regional Office grounds. Alternate: Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions Overview of MDC Public Land opportunities in Northeast Missouri
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Sept. 24, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 4-Overview of Invasive Species in Native Landscapes Introduction to Species of Conservation Concern (SOCC) in Northeast Missouri
Describe the differences between indigenous, exotic and invasive species and their impacts. Describe the concepts of limiting factors and carrying capacity and why those are important, define succession, and what influences biodiversity and why it is important. Describe the difference between a habitat and a niche and why it is important.
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Oct. 1, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 5-Edible and poisonous mushroom; foraging
Identification of edible and poisonous mushrooms. Foraging eating, and cooking wild edibles.
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Oct. 8, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 6-Pond Management 101, Aquatic plant identification and Missouri’s Freshwater Mussels
Pond Management 101, Aquatic plant identification and Missouri’s Freshwater Mussels
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Oct. 15, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 7-Forest Ecology and Management practices in Northeast Missouri, Using Habitat Disturbance as a Management Tool
Forest Ecology and Management practices in Northeast Missouri Using Habitat Disturbance as a Management Tool
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Oct. 22, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 8-Overview of Missouri’s Wildlife Diseases Bird Identification, fly-aways, and bird-friendly Organizations
Overview of Missouri’s Wildlife Diseases Bird Identification, fly-aways, and bird-friendly organizations
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Oct. 29, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CDT Week 9-Ecological Interpretive Education Dark Skies and Light Pollution
Ecological Interpretive Education Dark Skies and Light Pollution
Location: MO Department of Conservarion
Nov. 5, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CST Week 10-Stream Team: Plastics pollution Heroes of Conservation
Stream Team: Plastics pollution Heroes of Conservation
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Nov. 12, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CST Week 11-Course Wrap- Up and the impact of citizen science volunteers Capstone Project Discussion
Course Wrap-Up and the impact of citizen science volunteers Capstone Project Discussion
Location: MO Department of Conservation
Nov. 19, 2026
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05:30 PM - 09:00 PM CST Week 12-State of MDC; Effective volunteers Graduation
State of MDC Effective volunteers Graduation
Location: MO Department of Conservation