Applications are closed for the 2025 – 2026 cohort. They will reopen in August 2026.
Please complete our short form if you would like to be put on the waitlist.
Please see the About and FAQ pages for information about the Washington State Naturalist Program, including the time commitment for online learning and volunteer requirements, location requirements, and expectations for participation.
Registration deadline is September 29th or until the cohort is full.
Accepted applicants will be notified on a rolling basis until the cohort is full. We will notify everyone by October 13th.
When reviewing applications, priority is given to applicants that reside in the same counties as the partner organizations.
2025 – 2026 Course Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 29th | Registration deadline |
| October 13th | Registrants notified |
| Week of October 20th | Introductory Zoom meetings and release of the Ecosystems of Washington module |
| Week of November 3rd | Discussion sections on Ecosystems of Washington and release of Ecology module |
| Week of November 17th | Discussion sections on Ecology and release of Scientific Inquiry module |
| Week of December 8th | Discussion sections on Scientific Inquiry and release of Watershed Management module |
| Week of January 12th, 2026 | Discussion sections on Watershed Management and release of Stream Ecology module |
| Week of January 26th | Discussion sections on Stream Ecology module and release of Limnology module |
| Week of February 9th | Discussion sections on Limnology and release of Oceanography module |
| Week of February 23rd | Discussion sections on Oceanography and release of Forestry module |
| Week of March 9th | Discussion sections on Forestry module |
| Week of March 16th | Online curriculum graduation |
| November – July 31st | Complete 20 hours of field learning |
| July 31st | Field learning report due |
| September 30th | Volunteer hours (25 for Track 1, 20 for Track 2) due |
Instructor Information
Dr. Patricia Townsend
Patricia earned a Ph. D. in Zoology from the University of Washington and a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Florida and became a faculty member at WSU Extension in August 2012. While in graduate school, she focused on conservation biology, tropical ecology and researched habitat corridors, pollination ecology, and tropical restoration for a changing climate in Monteverde, Costa Rica. She is happy to be leading the Washington State Naturalist program to help both communities and the environment thrive in the Pacific Northwest. Patricia loves exploring Washington’s diverse ecosystems and meeting the people working to protect them.
Discussion Section
Mondays 5:00 – 6:30pm
Kellee Byard
Kellee earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan, focusing on Conservation Biology. While in school, Kellee worked in the natural areas team at UM’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum to restore native ecosystems and provide education for the public on invasive species, native plants/wildlife, and conservation practices. After moving to Washington, Kellee served a term as an AmeriCorps member with the National Wildlife Federation before joining WSU Extension in January 2023. Currently, they are a program coordinator for the Washington State Naturalist program and the Sustainable Community Stewards. They are passionate about environmental education and supporting volunteers to protect and teach about native PNW ecosystems.
Discussion Section
Wednesdays 10:00am – 11:30am
Sarah Bergquist
Sarah Bergquist is the County Director (interim, three years +) for WSU Extension in Island County. With 13 years at WSU, she provides environmental outreach and consultative support to community organizations. She helped pilot the Washington Naturalists Certification Program for the past three years and is currently working with a team to develop and pilot a Climate Stewards Certificate Program in Island, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties. She has managed Waste Wise, an outreach waste-reduction program, for almost a decade. A fourth-generation Whidbey Islander, Sarah holds a master’s degree in science education. She actively serves on the Solid Waste Advisory Board, the rePurpose Board, and the Hearts and Hammers Board. In her free moments, she enjoys gardening, camping, learning, and time with family.
Discussion Section
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:00pm
Register
Applications are closed for the 2025 – 2026 cohort. They will reopen in August 2026.
Track 1
Because this track is funded by an EPA grant and tuition is waived, there is a comprehensive review and selection process for those who chose this track on the registration form. We are only admitting a maximum of 10 – 15 participants to this track.
We will begin reviewing applications on September 2nd and select participants on a rolling basis.
Track 2
This track requires a tuition fee to participate, but should you choose to register for Track 2 and pay the tuition fee you will be admitted to the program on a first come and first approved basis. We are admitting 35 – 40 participants to this track. Once accepted, you will have three days to pay your course fee and register. Currently, we have a wait list from 2025, and those applicants will have priority. If you are not accepted this year, you will be added to the wait list.
We will begin reviewing applications on August 25th and select participants on a rolling basis.