
The Prairie Enthusiasts – Empire/Sauk Chapter
Training Dates
May 17 - June 22, 2025
Instructors
Timothy Hansel
Scott Fulton
Pat Trochlell
Lillian Kelly
Description
The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE) is hosting a field-based training at Mounds View Grassland, an 830-acre property owned by TPE located south of Blue Mounds. The site includes remnant prairie, wetlands, a coldwater stream and oak savanna native habitats and prairie plantings and prairie seed orchards. Our home base will be the rustic Schurch-Thomson barn, a working barn used for research, restoration and education. The training will be centered on the native grasslands and savannas of the Driftless Area with topics including geology, soils, watersheds, plant communities, prairie pollinators, birds and mammals. A wealth of guest experts will join us to share their knowledge of fire ecology, groundwater issues, seed collecting and more. In addition to the Mounds View Grassland, we will visit nearby prairies and oak savannas and explore the Lower Wisconsin River floodplain area. Come join us and enjoy the summer prairies in bloom.
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
Saturday, May 17th: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 18th: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday, May 31st: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 1st: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday, June 7th: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 8th: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday, June 21st: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, June 22nd: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Class Size
15
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. Accommodation requests 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.
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.