Bong Naturalist Association
This training has passed
Training Dates
August 1 - August 19, 2022
Instructors
Kevin Hanley
Melody Orban
Jan Dickinson
Dan Dickinson
Wendi Schneider
Description
Bong Naturalist Association, a local Friends of Wisconsin organization affiliated with the Richard Bong State Recreation Area (RBSRA) located in Kenosha County, is excited to offer the Master Naturalist Volunteer training. This training is focused on learning about nature education, nature restoration, and connecting natural communities and will cover topics of geology, water and plant communities, wildlife, ecology, climate and weather, natural history, human connections, and how Master Naturalists can use their knowledge and talents in our community. The training includes some indoor instruction, but most learning is through hands-on outdoor experiences, and interactions with expert guest speakers.
RBSRA is a rich environment of over 4,500 acres consisting of remnant and restored prairies, savannas, oak woodlands, old field grasslands and wetlands. It is home to native and migratory birds, wildlife, fish and so much more. Due to its history, some unique recreation opportunities are also available such as dog training, model airplane flying, rocketry, falconry, and a managed hunt area. The recreational aspects are managed and co-exist with the rare species and habitats. Located in SE Wisconsin, RBSRA is easily accessible to urban communities; our mission is to serve people of all ages, abilities and sensitivities.
The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program is a network of well-informed volunteers dedicated to conservation service, leadership, and lifelong learning. 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
Monday, August 1st: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday, August 4th: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Monday, August 8th: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday, August 11th: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Monday, August 15th: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday, August 18th: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Friday, August 19th: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
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