SC Master Naturalist Training
Becoming a Master Naturalist
The South Carolina Master Naturalist Program is currently offered through six Host Site locations around the state of South Carolina. Information on the classes offered can be found by following the links under the Training link in the left column. These field-based training sessions typically last 12 weeks, meeting all day, one day per week.
Advanced training is offered by Host Sites throughout the state and by the State MN Office specifically to provide additional training for Master Naturalists in different biogeographical regions. Eight (8) hours of advanced training are required each year as part of the volunteer service requirement.
Certification Levels
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SC Master Naturalist
Complete a 12-week SC Master Naturalist course plus 22 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training.
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SC Statewide Master Naturalist
- Complete a 12-week SC Master Naturalist course plus 22 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training. Volunteer service hours and advanced training must be entered into the Master Naturalist Online Volunteer Hour Reporting System.
- Complete 16 hours of advanced training in each of two (2) additional SC biogeographical regions. The biogeographical regions in SC are the Blue Ridge, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain (combined Inner Coastal Plain and Outer Coastal Plain), and Coastal Zone (see the link below). Each host site has class sessions in two biogeographical regions. In order to earn advanced training hours towards the SC Statewide Master Naturalist certification, you must go outside of those two regions for your advanced training. Below is a list of host sites and their main biogeographical regions covered during class.
Upstate – Blue Ridge & Piedmont
Catawba – Piedmont & Sandhills
Midlands – Sandhills & Piedmont
Winyah – Coastal Plain & Coastal Zone
Charleston – Coastal Plain & Coastal Zone
Lowcountry – Coastal Plain & Coastal Zone
For SC Statewide Master Naturalist certification:
Upstate graduates must obtain 16 hours of advanced training in each of two of these biogeographical regions - Sandhills, Coastal Plain, Coastal Zone.
Catawba and Midlands graduates must obtain 16 hours of advanced training in each of two of these biogeographical regions - Blue Ridge, Coastal Plain, Coastal Zone.
Winyah, Charleston, and Lowcountry graduates must obtain 16 hours of advanced training in each of two of these biogeographical regions - Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge.
Advanced training hours must be entered into the Master Naturalist Online Volunteer Hour Reporting System.
3. Complete the 6-hour Advanced Training - Interpretation for the Master Naturalist offered by the State Master Naturalist Office or an interpretation course approved by the State Coordinator. This is a stand-alone course and does not count towards the 32 hours of advanced training in the two biogeographical regions or your yearly 8 hours of advanced training to maintain your Master Naturalist certification. Training hours must be entered into the Master Naturalist Online Volunteer Hour Reporting System.
South Carolina Statewide Master Naturalists are recognized by an emerald placed in the first jewel location on the Master Naturalist name tag. Name tags must be sent to the State Office, where certification will be verified from the Online Volunteer Hour Reporting System and the emerald awarded.
The following SC Master Naturalists have earned the designation of SC Statewide Master Naturalist since it was implemented in 2014:
2014 - Linell Goodall, Hilda Flamholtz, Kathy Burriss, Dan Whitten, Carl Cole, Barbara Watson, Nancy Thompson, Judith Kramer, Jimmy Watson, Tom Pray, Terri Mendonca, Dr. James H. Blake
2015 - Sue Williams, Gina Varat, Sanna Schantz, Pam Barbour, Jean Arden, Polly Powell, Patsy Winkel, Susan Hamilton, Sherrie Whitten, Ray Wade, Bobbie Wilhite, Rick Keup, Ric Barnett, Carol Ulmer, Pam Floyd, Anne Palyok
2016 - Craig Williams, Dale Hutto, Bill Altman, Wally Niebauer, Ellie Elzerman, Bill Thielfoldt, Liesel Hamilton, Dee Dee Williams, Elizabeth Anderegg, Susan Lech, Jimmy Vissage, Ray Ward, Nicole Riddle, Tricia Kyzer, Yvonne Plemmons
2017 - Mike Patrick, Charlotte Morley, Elizabeth Rockholt, Carla Kneece, Sharon Watson, Ted Kalutz, Gail Rahn, Sheryl Waldvogel, Ed Neunlist, Bob Senn, Dennis Blejski, Ray Long, Mary Campbell, Buddy Campbell, Bob Askins, Alice Fraser, Mike Davis
2018 - Cindy Hekking, Linda Rowe, Greg Campbell, Gina Elliott, Jessica Miller, Bill Putnam, Flora Doraski, Joe Doraski, Bob Brouillet
2019 - Jenna Stephens, Pam Shroyer, Kenneth McDowell, Scott Wietecha, Chris Rucker, Dave Ziner, Andy Chesson, Mary Burnett, Rick Calvert, Lee Morris, Tara Boone, Meg Filiatrault, Phil Filiatrault, Dennis DeFrancesco, John O'Connell, Joanne Panek, Anthony Panek, Pat Pierce, Rosanne Maraziti
2020 - Susan Luberoff, Eleanor Ellison
2021 - Dave Eslinger
2022 - Charlotte McCreary, Brian Grabbatin, Linda Parker, Brandy Cloos, Theresa Higgins, Michael Jones
2023 - Mallory Maher, Pat Martin, Greg Labyak, Johnny Wong
SC Biogeographical Regions
List of Locations by Biogeographical Regions
Required Paperwork for Training
All participants who go through SC Master Naturalist training at our various Host Sites around the state are required to complete certain paperwork. Generally, this paperwork is completed on the first day of class, or the Host Site may direct you to download, complete, and bring the completed forms with you to the first class.
