Master Wildlife Conservationist Program

The Master Wildlife Conservationist Program (MWCP) is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division. The program provides adults with education and training on the natural history, biology, conservation, management, and interpretation of Connecticut’s wildlife. 

What Is Involved?

Participants receive approximately 40 hours of intensive classroom and field training. After completing a training session, each participant provides 40 hours of volunteer service within the first 18 months to become certified as a Master Wildlife Conservationist (MWC). Volunteer service primarily involves public outreach but may also include assisting Wildlife Division Staff with projects and fieldwork. Continued learning opportunities will be provided for established MWCs each year. Following the initial volunteer period (18 months), MWCs must provide 25 hours of volunteer service and attend at least one continued learning class annually to remain certified. There is no cost to the participants. 

Program Goals

The Master Wildlife Conservationist Program fosters a dedicated corps of knowledgeable volunteers who promote healthy and sustainable relationships between Connecticut’s residents and wildlife resources. The goals of the program are as follows:

• Provide Connecticut residents an opportunity to participate in a natural resource-based education program.
• Increase public knowledge and understanding of conservation as it relates to wildlife and natural resource management.
• Encourage participation of volunteers and communities in conservation efforts.
• Inspire public support of statewide conservation endeavors. 

How Can You Get Involved?

The application period for the 2024 training session closed on March 31, 2024. To be notified of future training sessions, please complete this form. Plans for future training sessions, including dates and other details, are in development. If you submitted an application for the 2024 training session, you will be notified of your selection status via email by May 1, 2024.

2024 Training Session

The 2024 training session will run from June through August and meet once to twice a week for 12 weeks. Most classes will occur on weeknights (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM), with some field-based classes on weekends (9:00 AM – 2:30 PM). Many classes will be held at the Sessions Woods Conservation Education Center in Burlington, Connecticut, but will include other locations throughout the state. Applicants should ensure their ability to attend all classes by viewing the tentative 2024 Training Schedule. Participants must attend all classes to become certified as a Master Wildlife Conservationist. Please notify program administrators of any special circumstances that may prevent this by sending an email to DEEP.MWCP@ct.gov.

The 2024 training session will include classes on topics such as habitat management, invasive species, migratory gamebirds, population ecology, white-tailed deer, hunting, trapping and furbearers, climate change as it relates to wildlife and habitat, bats and small mammals, shorebirds, wetland habitat and mosquito management, rabies and wildlife diseases, human interactions with wildlife, field interpretation, forests and wildlife, and bears.

If you have questions about the Master Wildlife Conservationist Program, please contact us at DEEP.MWCP@ct.gov.

Content last updated April 1, 2024.