Become a Michigan Naturalist and help protect Michigan’s wildlife heritage.

Registration for Michigan Naturalist Program 2025 will open soon!


The Michigan Naturalist Program (MNP) is a three-season, hybrid educational program for adults (18+) interested in gaining a greater understanding of Michigan’s natural environment and ecological communities, including native flora and fauna. Participants will discover the interconnectedness of Michigan’s natural ecosystems and how they can contribute to wildlife conservation in their own backyard and community. They will also learn about interpretive techniques that will help them share what they have learned in meaningful and creative ways.


 

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2025 Regions

  • Clinton River
  • Rouge River
  • Southwest

The monthly, in-person sessions are at various locations within the specified region. Please review the specific locations listed on the region's page that you are interested in to ensure the travel distance is practical for all sessions. Attendance is critical to the learning experience, and required for certification.

Hybrid Program Format

  • Monthly, In-person Sessions
    • Four hours of coordinated classroom and field-based experiential learning
    • All classes will be held, rain or shine.
  • On-Your-Own Virtual Lessons
    • Comprehensive online course content, including knowledge checks and assignments, to expand on the in-person learning experience

Want to be notified of future Michigan Naturalist Program offerings? Sign up to get an email alert.

Michigan Naturalist Program Topics

  • Air
    • Weather
    • Climate Change
  • Land
    • Geology
    • Spatial Ecology
    • Coastal Regions
  • Water
    • Lakes, Rivers, and Wetlands
    • Great Lakes
  • Flora
    • Trees
    • Plants
    • Invasive Species
  • Fauna
    • Ornithology
    • Herpetology (Amphibians & Reptiles)
    • Entomology
    • Ichthyology
    • Mammalogy
  • Humanities
    • Conservation
    • Traditional Ecological Knowledge
    • Interpretation