What's new with UMN?

Meet our new program coordinator, Caroline Olson!

Caroline is a naturalist, writer, and long-time resident of Utah. She has formal training in outdoor education, natural history, and science writing. This summer's UMN course offerings will be fewer than in years' past, giving her time to settle in and begin the process of updating UMN's curriculum, to be launched in spring 2026. Her office is located at Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter.

UTAH MASTER NATURALIST

Program Coordinator, Caroline Olson

Photo Credit: Emma Lowe

"Thank you all for your patience. I know many of you are eager to attend our courses. I am very excited to develop updated manuals, online courses, and field experiences.

Utah is a fascinating state. Its natural history is a story writ long ago, yet evolving with each passing day. I invite you to learn with me as we experience the natural history of Utah together."

-Caroline Olson

2025 FIELD COURSES

Watershed Investigations

Utah boasts a striking diversity of aquatic systems. In each Watershed Investigations course, you will learn about how Utah's waterways function and interact within a local watershed. From bubbling alpine streams to the vastness of the Great Salt Lake, watersheds connect and affect us all.

Join the Watersheds WAITLIST

Dark Sky Observations

Dark nighttime skies are a natural wonder. In the Dark Sky Observations course, you will visit a designated International Dark Sky Park. You will learn about planets, stars, and constellations, and the ways we can support and protect dark skies for ourselves and dark-dependent species.

Date TBD. A person stands at a tripod-mounted telescope. The person and the telescope are lit with a red light. Above them, the night ski gleams with thousands of stars and a view of the Milky Way.

We are working with our partners at Antelope Island State Park to schedule a Dark Sky Observations field course this fall. We will update you in the newsletter, on our website, and on social media when the class goes live for registration.

General Info About All UMN Courses

Community Science Highlight Project GNBee

What is Community Science?

Members of the public, regardless of their background, collaborate with scientists to collect data, answer questions, and contribute to scientific understanding.