Master Naturalists looking through binoculars during bird hike

Photo Credit © Beaver Creek Reserve

Beaver Creek Reserve

This training has passed

Training Dates

July 31 - August 5, 2022

Location

Beaver Creek Reserve

S1 County Rd K

Fall Creek, WI 54742

Directions

Instructors

Megan Giefer

Kristen Giefer

Description

Beaver Creek Reserve, located just outside of Eau Claire in Fall Creek, WI, is partnering with Wisconsin Master Naturalist to offer another great Volunteer Training. This training begins Sunday, July 31st and continues daily for the following six days. Beaver Creek Reserve has over 400 acres of land, which allows individuals to explore diverse ecosystems that are home to many native plant and animal species. Our expert staff and guest speakers will share their knowledge of environmental topics both inside and outside the classroom. Topics include geologic history, aquatics, vegetation and wildlife, astronomy, as well as human impact on the environment. Our training focuses on the natural landscape and all that it encompasses in the Chippewa Valley! This training will help you gain valuable knowledge and skills to grow as a leader within your community. Join Beaver Creek Reserve in supporting our mission by connecting people of all ages with nature!

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.

Schedule

Sunday, July 31st: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Monday, August 1st: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday, August 2nd: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday, August 3rd: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday, August 4th: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday, August 5th: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

* Full day participation is expected. Exact times to be shared later.

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. If you have questions about the activity level of the training, please contact the program office info@wimasternaturalist.org prior to registering.

Financial Hardship

The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program believes that finances should not be a barrier to learning. Reduced registration fees are available for those who indicate the fee is a hardship. Reduced fees will be available during the registration process at a self-selected rate of either $200, $150, or $100. Our hope is that by participating in the Master Naturalist program you are able to give back your time to organizations that need your help. And if your financial situation changes in the future that you’ll consider a donation back to our program.

COVID Considerations

In response to updated CDC guidance and changing local health conditions we have updated our program guidance. During our upcoming training, we will concentrate our learning outdoors, as much as possible. The use of masks in program settings will be an individual choice. In counties with high community levels of COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that all individuals (regardless of vaccination status) wear a mask when indoors. Please check the levels prior to each training date. All individuals are welcome to continue protected practices, such as face coverings and distancing, even if it is not required or advised. Individual masking choices should not be interpreted as an indicator of vaccination status.


Host sites and field locations may have more stringent requirements. Please follow the guidance that they provide at that time. We recommend bringing a face covering with you each day to be prepared for those situations. Please continue to take measures to protect the vulnerable people in our communities. We ask all staff, volunteers, and participants to stay home when they have signs of infectious illness. Proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette are also important measures to keep individuals and our communities healthy. Everyone who is able should stay up to date on their vaccinations. As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we will continue to monitor state and local health data. We will notify you if these guidelines change in the future.

This training has passed