Upham Woods

Description

Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center located near the Wisconsin Dells will become a river classroom as participants become certified Master Naturalists. Upham Woods is located on 318 acres of forested land, including a 210-acre state natural area called Blackhawk Island. Explore all of the special features of this site from old-growth oak forests to unique geology to historical sites. A wealth of guest experts will explore Master Naturalist topics through three complementary focal points: learning through place-based experiential education, a focus on land stewardship by developing our personal conservation ethics, and opportunities to give service in diverse areas including youth education, conservation work, and outdoor recreation. Accessibility is at the forefront of what we do so all activities will be designed with your access needs in mind. Activities include canoeing or riding in a pontoon boat along sandstone cliffs, investigating macroinvertebrates living in the river, and connecting with active research projects including tick studies and deer exclosures.

Food and overnight accommodations can be provided by Upham Woods for an additional cost. You will receive information about these options in a separate email after you register.

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.