Volunteering

Your Oregon Master Naturalist Identity

Once you complete the coursework requirements for your Ecoregion, you will recieve a name badge that identifies you as an Oregon Master Naturalist Volunteer. This name badge is temporary, made of paper and has your name on it. Here's a sample of what it will look like for those completing the Oregon Coast Ecoregon Specialization:

You will wear this name badge until you complete your initial volunteer hours. Then, you will receive a permanent name badge with your name on it.

Complete a minimum number of volunteer hours

An important part of becoming an Oregon Master Naturalist is that you can put your knowledge to use by volunteering. To become a certified Oregon Master Naturalist you must give back in volunteer service. We require a minimum of 40 initial hours of volunteering within the first year after completing all required coursework.

There are several stipulations to this volunteer requirement. 1) All volunteering must take place in Oregon; 2) Volunteering must be done outside of your normal paid work schedule and you CANNOT be reimbursed for your volunteer contribution; and 3) As an Oregon Master Naturalist, any volunteering or other activity done while you are associated with the Oregon Master Naturalist Program CANNOT include advocacy of any kind (environmental, political, etc.).

Types of Volunteer Service

Natural Resources Interpretation

Volunteer to give an educational program at a city, county, state or federal park, lead nature hikes, or help develop a visitor guide for a natural area. Many of these places depend on volunteers during peak visitor seasons. The Oregon Master Naturalist Program will be offering trainings in Interpretation techniques for those who wish to volunteer in this way.

Citizen Science

Volunteer to collect data for an agency. Wildlife and plant surveys, water quality monitoring, and other scientific monitoring are some examples. These surveys are critical for maintaining and managing for biological diversity, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for ways to engage Master Naturalists in meeting goals set forth in the Oregon Conservation Strategy.

Land Stewardship

Volunteer to maintain a natural area, controlling invasive species or restoring native vegetation. Or, perhaps you’d like to assist in maintaining a trail or other public recreation area. If you like to get your hands dirty, this might be your way of volunteering.

Program Support

Not all of us can get out into the resource physically. Nature centers, state and federal park visitor centers, and various natural resources groups need volunteers to work on newsletters, websites, and even meet and greet the public at information stations.