UGA Dougherty County Extension/4H is collaborating with Chehaw Park & Zoo in Albany to bring the Georgia Master Naturalist Program for the first time in the southwest Georgia. Georgia Master Naturalist Program is a popular adult education program developed by the UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources and UGA Cooperative Extension offered through county extension offices and nature centers. This interactive training program is designed for individuals who wish to be more informed about ecology, natural resources and the natural environments. This program is a hands-on environmental education course that aims to educate nature enthusiasts about natural resources, habitats and ecosystems in Georgia and human impacts on those environments.
This 50-hour training program is a weekly in-person educational series that combines lectures and outside hands-on learning experiences through field studies, trips and relevant resources. The program subject matter follows a standard format but is adjusted to meet local issues drawing upon local expertise in the instructors. Each week, the participants explore specific environmental topics that may include geology, water quality, native plants, birding, urban forestry, wetlands, forests, identification of trees and other plants, insects, wildlife, etc.
The 2026 Southwest Georgia Master Naturalist Program will be hosted at the Creekside Center in Chehaw Park & Zoo in Albany. The participants will meet once a week on Wednesdays from October 14 to December 9, 2026 at 9:00 am till 3:30 pm. The cost of participation in this program is $250 that will cover 50 hours of instruction, learning materials & handouts, a Georgia Master Naturalist T-shirt, a nametag and refreshments. Upon the successful completion of the program, participants will receive certificate of completion through UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Applicants must complete their registration before 5:00 pm, October 9, 2026 to secure a spot in the class.
For more information, contact County Extension Coordinator Vivek Bist at (229) 436-7216 or vivek.bist@uga.edu.
University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity, Veteran, Disability Institution. If you need reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact the UGA Dougherty County Extension office at (229) 436-7216 or uge4095@uga.edu at least three weeks prior to the program date.
