INDIANA MASTER NATURALIST

Introductory Programs of Nature Discovery and Service-Learning for Adults (18+)

For questions regarding IMN, please email either Derek Walsh or Annie Svendsen.

Registration Closed

IMN Lessons

Environmental Studies

*A nighttime reptile and amphibian search with Dr. Noah Gordon (University of Evansville)*

*Dr. Cris Hochwender (University of Evansville) gives a lesson in the outdoor classroom at Wesselman Woods*

*Learning about macroinvertebrates at Howell Wetlands*

Become a certified local steward with us at Wesselman Woods!

Indiana Master Naturalist participants will spend 10 weeks learning about various components of the southern Indiana bioregion by engaging with videos before class and meeting in person for further education and application of the week’s topic. The classes meet each week from 6-9 PM, and upon registration, participants choose between a Monday or Tuesday evening course schedule. See below for further details on the topics covered.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a minor component of physical activity to IMN, as some of the in-person practicals involve hiking on unpaved trails with uneven terrain in the forest. Due to the nature of the trails, they may not be accessible for wheelchairs or mobility devices.

Several classes are held at off-site locations, such as Howell Wetlands and University of Southern Indiana, so some travel is required.

Certification Requirements

Participate in at least 80% of course sessions
Complete 24 hours of volunteer service related to natural resources (no deadline)
Complete an open book test covering course content with a score of 70% or higher

Cost

Price: $150 for public or $140 for members

** WESSELMAN WOODS MEMBERS RECEIVE A $10 DISCOUNT **
Please email info@wesselmanwoods .org for the discount code.

Additional Environmental Studies Courses: Each session is $15 for members and IMN Alumni and $20 for public. Find out more on our Environmental Studies page.

2026 Dates and Topics (6-9 PM)

Order of topics is subject to change.
Week One (3/16 & 3/17): Ecology + People & Natural Resources
Week Two (3/23 & 3/24): Geology
Week Three (3/30 & 3/31): Arthropods
Week Four (4/6 & 4/7): Wildflowers + Herbaceous Plants
Week Five (4/13 & 4/14): Water & Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
Week Six (4/20 & 4/21): Trees
Week Seven (4/27 & 4/28): Invasive Species
Week Eight (5/4 & 5/5): Mycology
Week Nine (5/11 & 5/12): Ornithology
Week Ten (5/18 & 5/19): Review and Test

meet the presenters

Wesselman Woods partners with local experts for each of the Master Naturalist courses. Support from these local researchers, professors, and environmental practitioners is what makes the Indiana Master Naturalist possible!
**Check out the presenter guide!**

- What is the level of difficulty of the IMN course?
  - The IMN course is designed for anyone age 18 and up of any ability and background. Each class offers introductory dive into the respective topic. No former science/natural resources training is required for this course. The IMN curriculum guide states that this course is open to any adult, but in general, course participants are Hoosiers with a genuine love for the out-of-doors, but limited formal science/natural resources training. Participants take the course to expand their knowledge of plants, wildlife, soils, and other natural resources in Indiana.
- Can you tell me more about the videos I need to watch before class?
  - Each week, participants will be asked to watch a selection of pre-recorded lectures in preparation for the in-person session. By watching the videos on your own, we maximize time spent out in the field getting hands-on experience in each topic. We strongly recommend that you watch the videos ahead of time, as they contain useful information to prepare you for the in-person class.
- What are the benefits of becoming an Indiana Master Naturalist?
  - From the IMN website: “Of course, you gain new knowledge of Indiana’s plants, wildlife, geology, and geography. You meet other Hoosiers with interests similar to yours. You gain personal satisfaction from “giving back” to your local community through service.
    Those individuals who complete their service hours also receive the following:
    -          a certificate of completion
    -          an Indiana Master Naturalist pin
    -          a one year subscription to the Indiana Master Naturalist newsletter
- How many classes am I allowed to miss if I still want to become IMN certified?
  - You are allowed to miss a maximum of two (2) in-person classes if you wish to become a certified Indiana Master Naturalist.
- What age must I be to participate in IMN?
  - IMN participants must be at least 18 years old.
- How many people are in each class?
  - There are up to 30 participants in each the Monday night course and in the Tuesday night course.
- Can I participate in Indiana Master Naturalist if I live out of state?
  - There are no location restrictions for participating in the Indiana Master Naturalist (IMN) program. However, if you aim to earn your certification, which requires 24 volunteer hours, at least 12 of those hours must be completed within the state of Indiana.
- If I have taken IMN before, may I take it again?
  - Yes! The topics and presenters may be the same year to year, but you are welcome to register if you’d like to receive the education again.
- Do you have a refund policy for IMN?
  - Yes, we do! You may receive a full refund for your ticket if you cancel your registration up to three days before classes begin.
Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist (AIMN) is a yearly certification for IMN participants. At Wesselman Woods (WW) we offer additional adult education courses throughout the year that can go toward the continuing education requirements. These requirements include volunteering 30 hours annually and completing eight hours of education time annually. Please see additional environmental studies above for further details on upcoming sessions.