Tennessee Naturalist Program Core Course

The purpose of the Tennessee Naturalist Program is to teach Tennesseans about our natural world; to inspire in them the desire to learn more; and to instill an appreciation of responsible environmental stewardship.

The Tennessee Naturalist Program (TNP) is a nature education program for adults. Through immersive, hands-on learning, you’ll gain a deeper connection to your environment – whether that’s learning to identify native wildflowers, understanding the role of insects in our food web,  or exploring the life hidden in overlooked habitats. The program does more than simply imparting knowledge; TNP awakens a lifelong passion.

And your TNP experience doesn’t stop in the classroom or the field. As a Tennessee Naturalist, you become part of a greater and vital mission: Educating communities, supporting conservation organizations, and protecting the rich biodiversity that makes our state so extraordinary. 

Why join the Tennessee Naturalist Program? 

As TNP shares the wonders of our ecosystems, it turns your love of nature into  action that makes an impact. In addition to the course classes, volunteer service is another key aspect of the Tennessee Naturalist Program.  Because Tennessee’s natural world needs more than admiration – it  needs advocates! 

Every class you attend and every volunteer hour you give helps build a stronger, better-informed network of environmental stewards. In return, you gain valuable skills and unforgettable experiences while making a real difference. 

What’s involved

TNP is anchored by our core course, which is comprised of ten in-person classes about Tennessee’s natural world: 

  • Becoming a Naturalist: Scope, Skills, and Service 
  • Geology and Ecology: Foundation and Context 
  • Tennessee Reptiles and Amphibians: Scutes, Scales, and Skin 
  • Forbs, Ferns, Mosses, and More: Plants and Fungi of Tennessee 
  • The World of Invertebrates: Pollinators, Predators, and Pests 
  • Birds of Tennessee: Feathered Friends 
  • Tennessee Mammals: Creatures of Habitat 
  • Nocturnal Naturalist: Darkness is Habitat 
  • Tennessee Forests: Seeing the Forest and the Trees 
  • Tennessee’s Living Waters: Rivers, Wetlands, and Watersheds 

Each 4-hour class in the course features both classroom lecture and outdoor field components. As part of the instruction, students also receive: 

  • a hand magnifying loupe  
  • a detailed study guide to the curriculum of each class 
  • portions of the class Powerpoint presentations 
  • state maps and publications on geology and soils
  • several additional handouts related to Tennessee’s natural history

When and where are the classes? 

There are 15 TNP chapters across the state through partnerships with individual state parks, municipal parks, and nature centers. Each chapter engages area experts as instructors and follows TNP’s curriculum, using our proprietary instructional materials. Click here to view all TNP chapters. 

Class schedules are set by the individual chapters and will differ in terms of seasonal timing and course length. The class schedule for each chapter’s most recent core course is posted here. Please note that the schedule is liable to change, but this page gives you an idea of what a typical schedule looks like at each chapter.

How do I sign up? 

Go to the Chapters page and find the chapter(s) that are convenient for you. Then, click here to add yourself to the interest list. You’ll be notified when registration opens. Most  registrations typically open 6-8 weeks before classes start.

Certification

To become a Certified Tennessee Naturalist, you must complete all 10 classes (40 hours total), and log 40 hours of approved volunteer service (see requirements here) within 2 years of your first class.

After becoming certified, students can continue to volunteer and take continuing education  workshops to earn milestone pins and awards. 

FAQs

We encourage you to visit our FAQ page to learn more, but here a few common questions: 

Can I just take the couple classes I’m most interested in? 

The core course is designed to be a thorough overview of all parts of Tennessee’s natural world. Classes interconnect and reinforce one another.  As such, they may not be taken individually.

What if I have to miss a scheduled class? 

Missed classes can be made up at your home chapter or another chapter, space permitting. 

Can physical accommodations be made for the field portion of each class?

The field portions of the course with rougher terrain or night activities could be physically demanding for some. If you have physical limitations, please discuss this with the chapter and/or instructor before the course begins to determine if the planned fieldwork can be modified to suit your needs. 

Do I have to do all my volunteer hours at one location? 

Absolutely not! We encourage all our students to volunteer at a variety of locations in order to experience new and diverse sites, and to make new like-minded friends. 

Still have questions? Drop us a message here.