Master Naturalist Certification
Join MOSS and become a certified Montana Master Naturalist through the Montana Natural History Center.
Through insightful discussions and outdoor field lessons, learn about ecology and geology, gymnosperms and plant identification, mammalogy, tracking, ornithology, entomology and connected natural science subjects that make our home special.
Master Naturalist Certification Course
2024 Spring
Tuesday, March 19 – Thursday, May 16
9 consecutive weeks (no class 4/9 or 5/14)
Tuesday/Thursday classes | 5:30-7:30 pm
2 Saturday field trips – April 27 & May 11
Tuesday classes meet @ MOSS campus (2104 Industrial Drive, Unit B in Bozeman).
Thursday classes meet at different outdoor locations suited to topic of focus.
Certification requires
attendance for 40 class hours
volunteer 6 hours with an environmental organization
complete 8 nature journal entries
write and present an interpretive field note
tuition – $425
Please read the expectations and cancellation policies below before registering.
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Adults only (but we have plenty of other programs geared toward youth)!
Participants should be comfortable hiking up to two miles at a slow pace
Participants should come prepared to be completely outside for each 2 and 6 hour session (see suggested gear list)
Participants may decide to collectively make changes to the schedule based upon forecasted weather conditions
Some class make-up options are available, but please plan to be able to attend most of the class dates and field days to certify
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20 hours of volunteer service + 8 hours of continuing education needed for annual recertification
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MOSS’s cancellation policies may vary between programs. Please read through each program’s description and information before registering.
Cancellations made up to 30 days prior to the program start date will be refunded, minus an Active registration fee.
Cancellations made 29 days or fewer before the program start date will not be refunded.
Refunds will not be issued for no-shows once a program has started.
Cancellations can be made through your Active account. If you have any questions, email us at miversen@outdoorscience.org.
If MOSS cancels a program due to not meeting minimum enrollment, refunds will be made.
If MOSS cancels a program due to circumstances beyond our control, refunds or partial refunds will be given on a program-by-program basis (minus the Active online registration charge).
Suggested Gear List
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
Warm layers
Rain jacket and pants
Camp chair
Water bottles (1-2 liters)
snacks/dinner
Backpack
Hiking poles
Hat and gloves
sunglasses/sunscreen
Field Journal and pen/pencil (required)
Binoculars if you have them!
I was seeking the next level of knowing this place, and for that, I turned to MOSS.
- Artist, Editor, and Montana Master Naturalist
Katie Shepard Christiansen
To read more about Katie’s experience in the Master Naturalist Course, check out her interview with Molly Iversen, MOSS’s Education Director.
