Class of 2022 Application
The application period for the Class of 2022 will be open September 15th, 2021. Applications will be due January 15th, 2022. To learn more about the EMN onboarding process click here.
What Extension Master Naturalists Do
The Johnson County Extension Master Naturalist (EMN) program’s focus is on education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas. We accomplish that through EMN programs, speaking engagements and partnering with other organizations that share a common goal of enhancing our natural resources and areas.
Bluebird Stewardship
EMN Bluebird Stewards monitor Bluebird houses, located throughout many parks in Johnson County, during the nesting season to protect bluebirds from predators and other dangers. They also collect data on the number of nests, eggs and successful fledglings. This citizen science project shows us how well our parks are supporting bluebirds. In addition, Bluebird Stewards are rolling out educational resources for teachers, home schoolers, civic groups, and anyone interested in learning more about these beautiful birds.
Visit our Bluebird Educational Materials page for preschool, K-2, and grades 3-5 curriculum for teaching about bluebirds in Kansas. We also provide a free speaker’s bureau. For more information on this service, call (913) 715-7000.
Junior Extension Master Naturalists
"Kansas Wild Kids," our local junior extension master naturalist program, provides youth in grades 3-5 opportunities to learn more about our natural resources and planetary neighbors. The program tries to instill a spirit of stewardship in children through engaging, hands-on, conservation-related lessons on Kansas' wildlife and waterways, snakes and spiders, pollinators and plants. For more information, contact Jeff Fouquet, at jfouquet76@gmail.com.
Land Stewardship
In partnership with Johnson County Parks and Recreation District, the EMN program works to restore natural habitats at several sites including the Snake Mitigation Area at Shawnee Mission Park and the woodlands of Ernie Miller Nature Center. This involves both removing invasive plant species as well as restoring native plant species. The EMN program is also partnering with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to restore the prairie at Olathe Prairie Center.
Mill Creek Stream Team
The Mill Creek Stream Team collects water chemistry and macroinvertebrate samples along Mill Creek to supplement other monitoring efforts in the area. Other activities include stream cleanups along waterways, education programs with Friends of the Kaw, and riparian restoration with Johnson County Parks and Recreation.
Pollinator Prairie Garden
The Pollinator Prairie Garden is an educational/demonstration garden for the public to visualize how native wildflowers and grasses might look in their home gardens. It strives to educate the public on pollinators like bees, birds, and butterflies, and especially Monarch butterflies and how they can incorporate sources of food, shelter, and safe areas for breeding in residential/urban landscapes. For more information see Pollinator Prairie Garden.
Partners
The EMN program partners with organizations that share common goals with the EMN organization and K-State Research and Extension. EMNs assist with their education/interpretation, ecological and citizen science activities. These organizations include:
- Ernie Miller Nature Center
- Friends of the Kaw
- Johnson County Parks & Recreation District
- Kansas City Wildlands
- Kansas Dept of Wildlife Parks & Tourism Olathe Prairie Center
- Lenexa Parks & Recreation
- City of Shawnee
For information about the Extension Master Naturalist Program see Who We Are
