Master Naturalists

Northern New Mexico Master Naturalist Program

Training individuals to become stewards of New Mexico’s natural environment, resources, and heritage.

The mission of the Northern New Mexico Master Naturalist Program is to foster a diverse community of naturalists equipped to promote awareness, understanding, and stewardship of New Mexico’s natural environment, resources, and heritage through education and service with our partner organizations. This is done through a combination of classroom and field instruction and volunteer work.

This program is a collaborative effort between the Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe County Open Space, and the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. We partner with over a dozen other organizations to provide local expertise and hands-on experiences around our community. Since its inception in 2018, over 250 people have participated in our program and contributed hundreds of volunteer hours towards conservation.

Apply HERE to be a part of the 2025 NNMMN cohort.
 

Become a Master Naturalist

The Northern New Mexico Master Naturalist Program is held annually each fall, running August through November. The course provides a combination of classroom and field training to give participants an understanding of the ecology and environmental issues facing northern New Mexico. Participants seeking certification are required to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours with one of the program’s partner organizations within a year of completing the course.

A Master Naturalist Trainee will complete a minimum of 55 hours of classroom and field instruction before advancing on to become a Master Naturalist Intern. Master Naturalist Interns will complete a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work with one of our partner organizations within 12 months of completing their classroom and field instruction.

Northern New Mexico Master Naturalist Partners

Founding Partner

Founding Partner

Founding Partner

Founding Partner Master Naturalists learn tracking with Ann Hunkins.
Master Naturalist Projects with Audubon
Grace's Warbler
  • Pinyon Jay Monitoring
  • Rio Grande Phenology Trail plant monitoring
  • Interpretation and Docents
  • Saturday Morning Bird Guides
  • Trail and Habitat Crew
  • Santa Fe Rail Trail nest box monitors, collaboration with Santa Fe County
  • Forest bird monitoring, collaboration with the Santa Fe National Forest and Forest Stewards Guild
  • Community education programs