Urban Ecology Center – Washington Park

Description

The Urban Ecology Center (UEC) is excited to host a training session at its breathtakingly expanded Washington Park branch. Attendees of this training should expect to focus on the variety of wild places found in cities that reveal the significance of access to nature for exploration and education. We will also emphasize the importance of ecological resilience for our communities. Sessions are led by subject matter experts from organizations across the Milwaukee area. The sessions will be a mix of interactive classroom and field excursions, taking advantage of the UEC facilities and adjacent parks in multiple neighborhoods.

As part of each session, participants will explore connections between art and the practice of the naturalist. For example, in looking together at nature as our baseline, we will compare plants across the continuum of natural/ancestral knowledge, traditional textile methods, EcoArt, and cultural uses.

This training will be led by Chris Young and Martina (mars) Patterson. Chris has worked closely with UEC staff for many years advancing their model for providing environmental education for people in cities to communities across North America. He is a professor emeritus at Alverno College and current director of the Conservation and Environmental Science program at UW-Milwaukee. He serves as the curriculum chair for the Land Restoration School. Artist, Ecological Conjuror, mars, has earned certifications in ethno-horticultural practices and ecological restoration. mars also serves on the leadership Council Ring of the Land Restoration School. Examples of mars’ leadership as an ecological restorationist can be seen throughout Milwaukee’s northwest side in pockets of urban woodlands, mesic prairies, and oak savannas.

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. Requests for access needs 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.