Coursework

Steps to becoming an Oregon Master Naturalist - Coursework

Certification in the Oregon Master Naturalist Program happens in several parts. Here is the basic overview of how you can become an Oregon Master Naturalist:  

Complete the online curriculum

This curriculum is a basic overview of Oregon’s natural history and the management of its natural resources.

Complete at least one regional course

These are based upon Oregon’s 8 ecologically distinct regions, known as Ecoregions.

Complete at least one volunteer training course

The Oregon Master Naturalist Program will offer training opportunities in several volunteer areas: Interpretation Techniques and Citizen Science.

The online curriculum

This curriculum is a basic overview of Oregon’s natural history and how its natural resources are managed. You’ll receive a certificate of completion once you’ve successfully completed this step.

This curriculum is evolving. The curriculum will continue to be improved upon and more sections will be added. We invite you to revisit this curriculum over time to learn about more topics as they are developed.

The initial launch of this curriculum was October 31, 2011 to a limited audience. Here's what will be included:

UNIT 1: Oregon’s Natural and Cultural History

Chapter 1 – Location, location, location: How Ecoregions can help us understand Oregon’s natural diversity

Chapter 2 – Oregon's Foundation: Earth Processes and Geology

UNIT 2: Managing Oregon’s Landscape

Chapter 1 – Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Ecology and Management in Oregon’s Forests

Chapter 2 – Rangelands: An introduction to Oregon’s wild open spaces

UNIT 3: Oregon Watersheds

Chapter 1 – An introduction to Watersheds in Oregon

To learn more about this online course, visit http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/workforce/oregon-master-naturalist-online/. This course is offered through Oregon State University's Professional and Non-credit Education program.

Ecoregion Courses

The online curriculum is only one way you can learn about Oregon’s natural history.

As an Oregon Master Naturalist, it is important that you explore your environment and experience the natural surroundings in a hands-on way. To acheive certification, complete at least one course based upon Oregon’s 8 ecoregions, as defined by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Conservation Strategy. Ecoregions are ecologically distinct regions defined by climate, geology, and the plants and animals that occupy them.

A course is a “specialization” in one or more ecoregion. The courses are taught in person at locations within an ecoregion and cover various topics in more depth than we can devote in the online curriculum.

We are already offering classes for the following Ecoregion Specialization:

Oregon Coast Specialization - classes occur at various times throughout the year. Click here to learn more about these classes

Willamette Valley Specialization - a planning committee has been formed and we are exploring a series of classes that will be developed over the coming months

In time, specializations will be created for the Klamath-Siskiyou, Cascades, Columbia Plateau, Blue Mountains, and Northern Basin and Range Ecoregions. Some combining of regions is possible.

Volunteer training courses

The Oregon Master Naturalist Program will offer trainings in several volunteer areas: Interpretation Techniques and Citizen Science. Check back for updates on when these classes will be offered.