The Wehr Nature Center building entrance on a sunny day

Photo Credit © Wehr Nature Center

Wehr Nature Center

CLASS IS FULL

Training Dates

March 31 - June 9, 2025

Location

Wehr Nature Center

9701 West College Avenue

Franklin, WI 53132

Directions

Instructors

Howard Aprill

Brooke Gilley

Description

Present day southeast Wisconsin has a rich and varied history of land use patterns going back thousands of years. That landscape is the culmination of decisions made (and not made) that affect our land, water, flora, and fauna. Join Wehr Nature Center as we explore how we arrived at the present, and chart forward to possible futures.

Participants will explore a 400-million-year-old fossilized reef; walk ice age bluffs; hold a 50,000-year-old tree fragment; go behind the scenes at the School for Freshwater Sciences; learn how wildlife rehabilitation reveals our complicated history with wildlife; discover how a Milwaukee neighborhood organized and turned a cold-war missile base into a nature preserve; and see how climate change is connected to it all.  Our field experiences will take us to various locations within Milwaukee County and may include some uneven and steep trails as well as moderate hiking distances.

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

Monday, March 31st: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, April 7th: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, April 14th: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, April 21st: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday, April 26th: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

* Field Experience

Monday, April 28th: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, May 5th: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday, May 10th: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

* Field Experience

Monday, May 12th: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, May 19th: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, June 2nd: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, June 9th: 5:30 pm - 8:30 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. 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.

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Registration fee

$300

Registration fee includes all training materials and a year-long membership with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Food and lodging not included unless otherwise stated.

*Reduced fee information below.

This training is full. You can still be placed on the waiting list.

Add to waitlist

Cancellation Policy:

Any cancellations made before 30 days prior to the start of the training are subject to a $25 administrative fee. Cancellations made between 29-8 days prior to the training are subject to a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after 7 days prior to the start date.

If we cancel one day of the training, that date will be rescheduled. If the complete training is cancelled by us, your registration fee will be refunded.

Questions?

info@wimasternaturalist.org

(608) 262-0020

CLASS IS FULL