KENT COUNTY, MICH. -- A program offered in southwest Michigan this summer is testing the waters for a new “Michigan Master Naturalist" certification.

Given the response so far -- the program sold out within days of registration opening -- organizers are feeling pretty good about expanding the certification statewide over the next few years.

The Michigan Master Naturalist pilot program is being offered through Michigan State University Extension. Over the six-week course, students will spend time in a lab and out in the field learning about various aspects of Michigan’s environment: Everything from wetland ecology to native butterflies, invasive plants and insects, how climate change is affecting the state’s natural habitats, and more.

Beth Clawson, a natural resources educator through MSU Extension, is the program coordinator. She said the aim is to arm students with deeper knowledge about Michigan’s natural environment and conservation techniques, with the hope that those who become certified are better able to work on conservation efforts in their own communities.

“This certification course offers the opportunity to make you more suited to be a better quality volunteer for, say for example, the local nature center or arboretum or land conservancy,” Clawson said. “All of those groups depend heavily on volunteers.”

Clawson said the program was also approved by the state as counting toward continuing education credits for teachers, so educators can apply what they learn back in their classrooms.

Though the pilot is only being offered in southwest Michigan this summer, Clawson said eventually the Michigan Master Naturalist certification will be offered statewide with a regional focus based on where each class is taught. In keeping with that mission, this year’s certification will include a section on dune ecology; other future programs might include sections on inland lakes, for example.

The certification is for anyone already interested in Michigan’s environment, who wants to make an impact, Clawson said.

“Michigan’s economy depends on tourism and a great deal of our tourism is based on our natural resources -- specifically our water, so it’s all connected, right?” she said. “As we help each other preserve our environment, we’re also helping the state of Michigan.”

The pilot program kicks off May 11; though the course enrollment is full, interested prospective students can sign up for a waiting list. In the meantime, there’s more about the program here.