The mission of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program is to build awareness of Ohio’s environment and natural resources through science-based education and community stewardship.

The program includes a 40-hour course on Ohio’s environment and natural resources taught through classroom and field sessions that present a statewide as well as regional perspective. Courses are offered throughout the state via partners and host organizations. Each course includes geology, soils, water resources, plants and forests, wildlife, interpretation and education, ecology, and stewardship, as well as regional topics and an introduction to volunteer service opportunities.

The course sessions are taught by faculty and staff with The Ohio State University along with conservation and naturalist professionals throughout Ohio. You will learn how to contribute to community science efforts, restore and protect critical habitats, and communicate effectively about Ohio’s’ environment while exploring parks and natural areas near you. After the course is completed, certification requires an additional 40 hours of environmental volunteer service with an organization and/or agency you select that has a compatible program mission and/or continuing education.

2026 Certified Naturalist Interest Form

Being A Naturalist in the 21^st Century: Ephemeral Environmental Education – Making the Most out of Brief Interactions. Join us as four naturalists share their stories on bright spots of environmental education including what really worked and how they navigated thorny challenges. Come away inspired! Our goal for this zoom panel discussion is to share ideas and inspiration for how to engage people in the environment during brief activities – from a few minutes to a couple of hours.