Ecological Restoration

Description

The UW–Madison Arboretum and UW–Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve invite you to join our Wisconsin Master Naturalist training in September and October as summer transitions to autumn. Our training will focus on ecological restoration and building a sense of place through repeated visits to the ecosystems of these special UW–Madison places. The 1,200-acre Arboretum sits a few miles south of the UW–Madison campus and is considered the birthplace of ecological restoration. The Lakeshore Nature Preserve is a 300-acre living laboratory on the UW–Madison campus, along the shores of Lake Mendota. Both landscapes feature prairies, oak savannas, forests and wetlands in an urban context. Outdoor activities will take place in a variety of sites across the Arboretum and Lakeshore Nature Preserve, some of which do not have immediate access to restrooms and drinking water. Terrain will include some level trails, some trails over and across hillsides, and occasional off-trail sites. Some trails are wide with packed gravel surfaces, others are narrow with rocks and roots.

The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program is a network of well-informed volunteers dedicated to conservation service, leadership, and lifelong learning. The Master Naturalist training provides 40 hours of education in a variety of natural history topics and Master Naturalist service areas. Through expert-led trainings, Master Naturalists are equipped to address challenges facing the state by making positive impacts through stewardship, citizen science, and educational activities. Trainings have an emphasis on outdoor field experiences with some classroom instruction and are taught by professional natural resources educators and scientists. Once trained, Wisconsin Master Naturalists record 40 hours of service and 8 hours of advanced training each year to maintain certification and receive a recognition pin.

Class Size

20

Participation

To be a certified Master Naturalist, you will be required to:

• Attend regularly. Only four hours of training may be missed.
• Be 18 years old or older.
• Travel in personal vehicles as necessary to reach different learning sites throughout the training.
• Complete a small training project.

^** Master Naturalist Trainings are primarily outdoor learning experiences which may include extended periods of standing, hiking on both flat paths and off-trails with inclines, and a variety of weather conditions. Requests for access needs can be made during the registration process; please allow 30 days, when possible. If you have questions about the activity level of the training, please contact the program office info@wimasternaturalist.org prior to registering.