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Become an expert on the volcano in our backyard as a Volcano Naturalist at Mount St. Helens. The Volcano Naturalist Program is a 12-week certification course offered by the Mount St. Helens Institute. Participants in this program will explore diverse aspects of the natural and cultural history of Mount St. Helens.
Each class takes an in-depth look at a different subject, including:
Classes are led by instructors who are experts in the field. With 36 hours of virtual classroom instruction, and three hands-on field trips, participants leave the class not only as a certified Volcano Naturalist, but with a greater understanding and appreciation for the powerful geological and ecological forces at play in our community.
"Without exception, every speaker was worth the commitment. I feel very fortunate to have learned from top scientists, journalists, and conservationists who have dedicated much of their adult lives to the mountain.”
-Past participant
The Volcano Naturalist Program is hosted by the Mount St. Helens Institute with the support of community, university, and government partners including the U.S. Forest Service.
Registration for the 2025 Volcano Naturalist Program will open on November 15th. To receive updates about next year's program, fill out this interest form.
Course Schedule and Format:
The 2025 program will run from February 4th - April 29th. The program will be held virtually on Zoom, along with three optional in-person field trips.
Course Fee & Registration Dates
How to prepare for registration
In order to register efficiently, you can prepare ahead of time with these steps:
Course Requirements:
Attendance:
Volcano Naturalists must complete a minimum of 30 hours of live virtual classroom instruction (not including field trips) to receive their certification. Participants must attend sessions in real time to receive credit. Participants who need to miss more than two classes should contact the facilitator before registering to make sure that they will meet the minimum hour requirements.
Volunteer Commitment:
Volunteering is NOT a requirement for participation in this course. The Volcano Naturalist Program was originally developed as a volunteer training course, and historically participants were required to volunteer at least 40 hours to earn their certification. Today, we recognize volunteering may not be an option for everyone, but participants are welcomed and encouraged to become MSHI volunteers if they wish.
Mount St. Helens Institute volunteers support education, safety, and stewardship of Mount St. Helens in a variety of exciting assignments, which are flexible as far as interest, ability, and availability. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Mount St. Helens Institute online here.
Participant Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Course Materials:
Before the course begins, participants will receive a packet in the mail with printed reference materials for the course. Participants will also receive one book of their choice, selected during registration. Book choices include:
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will also receive a "Certified Volcano Naturalist" certificate, sticker, and patch.
Participants will also have access to a course website with links, resources, slides, and video recordings of online classes (when available). Not all class sessions are recorded, at the discretion of each guest presenter. The course website will remain accessible through the end of the calendar year.
2025 Partners:
Clock hours may be available for teachers through OSPI.
For more information contact: Heather Monti, Volunteer Programs Manager, at heather@mshinstitute.org or (360) 784-2108.
