Master Naturalist-type programming began in Colorado in the 1970's. As of 2026, approximately 39 states and/or municipalities in the U.S. have Master Naturalist programs, and similiar programs are in operation overseas, notably in Australia and Africa.
In Maryland, the program began with a 2005 survey of personnel at Maryland parks, nature centers and other natural resource-related agencies and organizations, which indicated that a Master Naturalist Program would be welcomed and utilized. In 2006 University of Maryland Extension appointed a State Coordinator to develop the program. In 2009 a Steering Committee, composed of volunteers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MdDNR), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS), the Howard County Conservancy, Howard County Recreation & Parks and private citizens, developed the program outline, logo, and curriculum and then tackled the task of drafting a training manual. Technical assistance was also provided by peer organizations through the Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach & Service Programs (ANROSP: https://anrosp.wildapricot.org/).
During the first two years, partnerships were formed with MdDNR, USF&WS, and the Howard County Conservancy. These partners were instrumental in helping design policy for the statewide program, provide training sites, and recruit instructors.
The Howard County Conservancy volunteered to host a presentation for potential Master Naturalist Hosts Sites/Program Facilitators in January 2010, and then hosted the pilot Volunteer Training in March and April 2010. This pilot Volunteer Training focused on Maryland's Piedmont region. Following this pilot Volunteer Training, a pilot Host Site Program Facilitators Training was held in June 2010. In 2011, the initiative went state-wide with Volunteer Trainings conducted in both the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. Adkins Arboretum hosted the state's first Coastal Plain region training that year. In 2016, Cunningham Falls & Gambrill State Parks hosted the state's first Mountain region training. Statewide, since 2014, MdDNR's Wildlife & Heritage Service hosts a program at MdDNR Headquarters in even-numbered years. And, in 2027, in partnership with MdDNR, we will host our first statewide training in Spanish.
As of 2026, the program now has 57 Host Sites serving every corner of the state!
Map Key: Yellow Stars = Active Host Sites (facilities/organizations where at least 1 Md Master Naturalist Volunteer Training has taken place and volunteers serve), Blue Ribbons = Host Sites currently in the program's Onboarding Process
Through September, 2026, more than 3,000 volunteers have been trained and have reported a total of 350,000 hours of volunteer service to the state of Maryland valued at $11 million.
To learn more about the program, including all the ways you and/or your facility/organization may participate, please click the link below to visit the Maryland Master Naturalist Program website:
https://extension.umd.edu/programs/environment-natural-resources/program-areas/master-naturalist-program/