Retzer Nature Center

Description

Waukesha County Parks and Friends of Retzer Nature Center are hosting a week-long Master Naturalist Volunteer Training at Retzer Nature Center, a 480-acre County Park located in the heart of Waukesha County. Join us from July 15-20, 2024, for an exploration of the prairies, forests, waters, wildlife, and geology of Southeast Wisconsin. The training will include limited classroom time at Retzer Nature Center and local field experiences incorporated into each day throughout Waukesha County (i.e. Lapham Peak, Fox River Park, Pewaukee Lake, just to name a few).

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, 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.