Training Courses

Please join our mailing list to keep updated on our program announcements.

Keep checking back for course updates. Full schedules for fall will be available in February.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants should live within the county of training or within a 20-mile radius of the training site (35-mile radius for rural locations where training courses are limited). This is a requirement for two reasons:

  • 1) Volunteers must be trained in the specific ecology of the region where they will be performing service, and
  • 2) partnering conservation organizations who host the training expect volunteers to contribute service locally. 

Interested applicants should review the training schedule below for their county, ensure they can attend all class and field sessions, then begin the PA Master Naturalist training course application. Read all application instructions before filling out the application.

*Schedules are tentative and subject to change. Participants will be sent final schedules once enrolled*

2024

Spring Courses

Allegheny County (hosted by Frick Environmental Center). Classes will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings (6:00 – 8:30 pm) from April 9 – June 25 with four field sessions on Saturdays (April 20, May 11, June 1, and June 15).

Beaver County (coordinated by Beaver County Conservation District). Classes will be held weekly on Wednesday evenings (6:00 – 8:30 pm) from April 3 – June 19 with four field sessions on Saturdays (April 13, May 4, May 18, and June 1).

Chester County (Northern Region) (Coordinated by Green Valley Watershed Association and held at their Welkinweir estate property). Classes will be held weekly on Tuesdays from April 2 – June 18 with four field sessions on Saturdays (April 13, May 4, May 18, and June 8).

Montgomery County (coordinated by Upper Providence Parks and Recreation and held at Norristown Farm Park) Classes will be held weekly on Wednesday evenings (6:00 – 8:30 pm) from April 9 – June 25 with four field sessions on Saturdays (April 20, May 11, June 1, and June 15).

Philadelphia County (TBD – please check back later)

Washington County (hosted by Washington County Watershed Alliance) Classes will be held weekly on Thursday evenings (6:00 – 8:30 pm) from April 4 – June 20 with four field sessions on Saturdays (April 13, May 4, May 18, and June 8).

Don’t see a program offered in your area? Some training courses are held every other year. These include Berks, Dauphin, and Montour. Join our mailing list to be notified when these or new training courses open.

Fall Courses (being planned)

Allegheny County (new site) – Coordinated by the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens.

Armstrong County – Coordinated by the Outdoor Discovery Center.

Cambria County (new site) – Coordinated by the Cambria County Conservation District.

Centre/N. Huntingdon Counties – Coordinated by Clearwater Conservancy and hosted by Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center.

Delaware County – Coordinated and hosted by Tyler Arboretum.

Lancaster County (tentative – new site) – Coordinated by Lancaster County Parks.

Lehigh County – Coordinated and hosted by Lehigh County Conservation District.


For more information, please contact the following program coordinators by regions of training:

Southeast Region: SEprogram@pamasternaturalist.org

Southwest Region: SWprogram@pamasternaturalist.org

Centre/Huntingdon Counties: Rachel Nelson at rnelson@pamasternaturalist.org

Lancaster County Conservancy 2013 Trainees view waterfowl at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area