Oregon Naturalist

Oregon's landscapes define the people and wild species that call our state home. If you want to learn about the natural history, ecology, and natural resource management practices of Oregon, become an Oregon Naturalist. Our training is delivered through both online and place-based field courses.

The Oregon Naturalist program provides an opportunity to learn about natural resources through the study of rigorous science and research-based content: the natural history of plants, animals, habitats, and geology, the history and processes of landscape change, as well as the most relevant topics in present-day sustainable natural resource management. Participants volunteer for natural resources programs, agencies, organizations, and other groups in their communities.

The Oregon Naturalist program is part of the OSU Extension Service Forestry and Natural Resources Program, established in 2009.

Are you interested in becoming an Oregon Naturalist?

Do you love the outdoors? Do you want to learn more about natural history and the management of Oregon's natural resources -- and volunteer your time in service for Oregon’s natural places? By becoming an Oregon Naturalist you:

Learn science-based information: enroll in transformational education experiences through our award-winning certification courses covering a broad range of natural history and natural resources conservation topics, deepening your knowledge and preparing you to share your knowledge with others.
Give back to the land you love: join a network of trained naturalists, community organizations, and instructors who act as stewards of the natural world; engage with conservation, education, and environmental groups to volunteer as educators, community scientists, and stewards of the land; make an impact
Grow your community: engage with an active network of naturalists and partners that help connect like-minded individuals and build a sense of community and belonging.

Learn more about becoming an Oregon Naturalist

Photo by: Jason O'Brien (Cropped from original)

About

The mission of the Oregon Naturalist program is to increase knowledge, sense of place, and connection to the natural environment for all Oregonians. The program provides transformative, science-based, experiential learning in outdoor settings, and encourages service that protects and supports ecosystems and community wellbeing in Oregon.

We envision a statewide community of knowledgeable, passionate, and engaged naturalists working to connect Oregonians to the natural world.

We believe that when individuals have the opportunity to gain deep knowledge about the natural world around them, enjoy a sense of belonging to a broader community of naturalists, and take action to conserve and protect nature, lasting and meaningful change happens. This benefits the organizations where our naturalists volunteer, the communities where they live, and the ecoregions across the state that they steward.

Our Values

Shared Learning

We strive to co-create transformational learning opportunities for participants that are experiential, participatory, and fun! We invite emerging naturalists and instructors to share their own unique perspectives and learn outside, in nature, and in community with one another.

Credibility

We incorporate the most rigorous science and research-based content into our coursework. Participants enjoy award-winning curriculum taught by high quality instructors and experts in the field. We acknowledge that there are many ways of knowing, and strive to include the wisdom and perspectives of indigenous leaders and teachers.

Service

Our certified Oregon Naturalists volunteer thousands of hours to environmental and educational agencies, nonprofits and programs each year - giving back, taking action, and making a meaningful difference in the communities and ecoregions where they live.

Belonging

We acknowledge that our state’s history and the treatment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color has shaped our collective experiences, and our ability to access and feel safe in nature. We are building an inclusive community, one in which naturalists of all backgrounds experience a sense of belonging and connection through nature and service.

Interconnectedness

As naturalists, we see interconnectedness in all living things and the landscapes surrounding them. We strengthen our own connections to the natural world and each other to preserve Oregon’s unique ecosystems for future generations. We work in collaboration with our instructors, community partners, and program participants because greater impact comes through partnership.

Oregon Naturalists Make a Difference

93,000

Volunteer Hours

200+

Organizations & Programs Impacted

1,100,000+

Oregonians Reached

Our stories

Read the Corps of Discovery article and watch The Nature of Oregon video from OSU's Terra Magazine

Land Acknowledgement

The Oregon Naturalist Program studies the vast and diverse ecosystems of Oregon. These landscapes shape the way we see and experience Oregon as naturalists. We acknowledge that the places we visit as learners are the ancestral homelands of more than 60 distinct Indigenous tribes and bands representing many cultures and languages. Indigenous peoples have called Oregon home for time immemorial, and the varied and diverse landscapes and natural resources shaped who these people are. When white settlers came to Oregon, they were forcibly and violently removed from their lands to make way for settlement of the state. We acknowledge that Indigenous people are still here and thriving on their ancestral lands, honor their traditional ecological knowledge and stewardship of the Earth, and commit to an ongoing partnership and engagement with indigenous communities to create authentic learning experiences and teaching of this knowledge through our courses.

To learn more, visit the Native Lands mapping site to find out upon whose lands you live, and watch the Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon Experience episode "Broken Treaties, An Oregon Experience".