
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
Training Dates
April 30 - September 11, 2026
Instructors
Amy Dvorak
Amber Burch
Jason Leis
Jackie Leis
Rose Boyajian
Jesse Haney
Description
The Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR) is an 8,600-acre tract of land located in Vernon County, between the villages of La Farge and Ontario. Join KVR staff and regional experts to learn more about and experience topics such as the effects of climate change, the indigenous cultures, and ornithology. This training will be held two days in a row (Thursday/Friday) at various times from May to October to capture the phenological variation of the area. Each day will be on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and may require short (<10 minutes) travel in personal vehicles. This training will require moderate physical stamina and may include hiking on and off trail in varied terrains, paddling a canoe, and learning in remote/backcountry spaces.
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
Thursday, April 30th, 2026: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, May 1st, 2026: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday, June 4th, 2026: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, June 5th, 2026: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday, August 13th, 2026: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, August 14th, 2026: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday, September 10th, 2026: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, September 11th, 2026: 9:00 am - 4:00 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, unless transportation is provided by the host.
- 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.