The Bong Naturalist Association and the Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit are joining forces to host this training highlighting two state properties. Our two friends’ organizations support the Richard Bong State Recreation Area – located in Kenosha County and the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, near the southwest corner of Waukesha County.

Participate in six sessions on public lands where you will gain essential resources, practical knowledge, and a strong community network to amplify your effectiveness as a dedicated land steward, inspiring educator, or active citizen scientist. Each session will include guest speakers, indoor instruction, and outdoor field experiences. The first three days of training will be held at Richard Bong State Recreation Area and the second three days of training will be held at the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit. The two locations will provide a unique blend of habitats, species, and outdoor experiences that will fuel your interest in the natural world.

Richard Bong State Recreation Area includes over 4,500 acres of remnant and restored prairies, savannas, oak woodlands, old field grasslands and wetlands. It is home to native and migratory birds, wildlife and fish and offers unique recreation opportunities such as dog training, model airplane flying, rocketry, falconry, and hunting.

Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit covers more than 22,000 acres of forests, prairies, and wetlands with rare birds and plants. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail winds throughout the state forest along with 30 additional miles of mountain biking trails and 4 campgrounds.

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.

The Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA Trails) is excited to bring the Master Naturalist program to La Crosse. The majority of the training will be held at the Community Trail Farm, a 290 acre sustainable recreation project just a few miles from downtown. Participants will explore the bluffs, streams, and prairies of this unique area, and experience firsthand what it takes to work toward ecological balance. Through the lens of land stewardship and sustainable recreation, ORA will connect with local and regional guest experts, modeling the interconnected sections of the Master Naturalist training. Using place-based experiential education, activities include best practice in trout stream restoration, rewilding of forests and prairies, sustainable trail design, and the power of storytelling. Accessibility and inclusion are pillars of the Community Trail Farm project, though there will be several 1-4 mile hikes on uneven terrain. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and/or coordinating ride shares to field locations. Come join us during a beautiful time of year in the Driftless and become a Master Naturalist!

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.

The Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Ho-Chunk Nation are partnering to present the inaugural Sand Counties Wisconsin Master Naturalist Training, a four-session program held on Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2026. Each seasonal session takes place in a unique location that reflects the region’s natural and cultural heritage:

• February 20–21: Sand Valley Golf Resort, Nekoosa (Town of Rome): Explore the legacy of Glacial Lake Wisconsin and the dynamic landscape shaped by shifting sands.
• May 22–23: Ho-Chunk Nation, Black River Falls: Learn from Indigenous leaders about the rights of nature and the Ho-Chunk Nation’s enduring relationship with the land.
• July 17–18: UW–Stevens Point, Stevens Point: Engage with one of the state’s leading centers for environmental education and research
• October 16–17: Aldo Leopold Center and The Shack, Baraboo: Experience the place where Leopold’s land ethic continues to guide conservation practice.

Guided by scientists, tribal leaders, conservationists, and educators, participants will study the region’s natural history—from its ancient glacial origins to its modern living ecosystems. This training offers more than scientific understanding—it invites you to deepen your connection to the natural world. We’ll consider how Leopold’s land ethic broadens our sense of community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, reminding us that “when we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” We’ll also examine the Ho-Chunk Nation’s relationship with the land and a way of life that sustains a thriving Mąą (Earth) for all future generations.

Come discover the Wisconsin landscape Aldo Leopold called “Sand County” and define your own personal land ethic!

Outdoor experiences will include 2-3 mile hikes on uneven trails, sandy dunes, and rocky roads. Some trail sections will have significant inclines. For the winter session, dress warmly for up to 3 hours outdoors each day. For the remaining sessions, bring a water bottle and insect repellent.

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.

The North Lakeland Discovery Center, in beautiful Northern Wisconsin, will host a Wisconsin Master Naturalist training in August. Programming will be held at the Discovery Center campus. Guest experts, from professors to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff, will share a wealth of knowledge each day.

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.

This training focuses on the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and watershed. Approaching the full curriculum through a lens of water, we explore the historic and current health of Madison lakes, nearby streams, and remediation efforts centered on prairies. At the Conservancy we consider groundwater, surface water, restoration management, education and outreach efforts, programming opportunities, plant, animal, and insect populations, policies, multiple use challenges, benefits, and partnerships. Field experiences to Black Earth Creek (BEC) and Devil’s Lake offer an experience and study of water quality and the distinct topography, soils, and geologic features associated with glaciated and non-glaciated areas. We discuss several invasive species, their unique ability to survive, and strategies and tips to slow the spread, including decontaminating equipment. Impacts and remediation of changing conditions, shifts in our understanding and relationship with nature, and learning about diverse ways that people experience natural spaces and accessibility are also addressed. Overall, this training is packed full of indoor and outdoor time, some sitting, standing, and walking, some lecture, and opportunities for hands-on exploration of themes and presentation of concepts.

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.

The Door County Master Naturalist training is a 40-hour series of engaging classroom sessions and immersive field experiences designed to provide a consistent, statewide perspective on Wisconsin’s natural resources, ecological processes, and conservation challenges. What sets this training apart is its in-depth exploration of northern habitats—such as the northern mesic forest and boreal forest ecosystems—as well as the intricate microtopography shaped by Door County’s distinctive geology. Through guided hikes across diverse landscapes, interactive water-based activities, hands-on species identification, and visits to unique geological formations and sensitive ecological areas, participants will deepen their understanding of the natural world with a strong Door County focus.

Some outdoor experiences will be over uneven terrain with a couple significant inclines.

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.

The City of Madison Parks Division and Friends of Urban Nature are teaming up to host a 10-month Wisconsin Master Naturalist training, organized around observable changes in nature throughout the seasons. This training will explore how key Master Naturalist concepts relate to ecosystems found in local conservation parks and natural areas. Participants will be invited to become phenologists with us, as we observe and record the events that signal seasonal change – from the first spring wildflowers and migrating songbirds to autumn leaf colors and the gathering of Sandhill Cranes as they prepare to fly south.

Each monthly session will include field experiences led by knowledgeable guides and highlight opportunities for participants to learn about local efforts to restore, preserve, protect, and understand natural spaces in and around Madison’s parks. Connections to human impacts and culture will be woven throughout the program, as will the effects of climate change.

This training also focuses on helping Master Naturalists connect communities and kids with nearby urban nature, recreation, education, and restoration volunteer opportunities. Warner Park will be our home base; however, many field experiences will take place at other Madison-area locations. Outdoor activities will include standing, walking, and looking, as well as some navigation of uneven terrain. This program welcomes everyone and is designed to accommodate a range of physical abilities.

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.

Waukesha County Parks and Friends of Retzer Nature Center are hosting a week-long Master Naturalist training at Retzer Nature Center, a 480-acre County Park located in the heart of Waukesha County. Join us from July 20–25, 2026, for an exploration of the prairies, forests, waters, wildlife, and geology of Southeast Wisconsin. The training will include 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.

Every day of Master Naturalist Training at the George W. Mead Wildlife Area will be a special one as we will go out daily while learning from distinguished experts in their fields. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to apply, in real-time, the learning objectives for each theme in a location rich with wildlife in a variety of habitats. Our training will require participants to be outside in the morning and afternoon, hiking trails and dikes that are uneven gravel and vegetation, mostly flat terrain. Morning coffee, tea and snacks will be provided thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Mead McMillan Wildlife Areas. Bring your own lunch. Some portable seating will be available for those in need.

Special offer for full-time college students: The Friends of the Mead/McMillan Wildlife Area have offered to offset the $300 registration fee to allow 10 current college students to participate in the six day Master Naturalist Training for only $60. Students are responsible for their own transportation and lodging. Students who are interested in this opportunity are asked to provide 40 hours of volunteer service with Friends of Mead Wildlife area within a year following the training. The Friends group will provide additional training necessary for this volunteer work. Students interested in this offer should apply before registering to receive the discount code. APPLY HERE.

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.

Beaver Creek Reserve, located near Eau Claire in Fall Creek, WI, is home to over 400 acres of land, which allows individuals to explore diverse ecosystems home to many native plant and animal species. During our Master Naturalist training, our expert staff and guest speakers will share their knowledge of environmental topics both inside and outside. Topics include plant and wildlife identification, aquatics, astronomy, and more! Our training focuses on the natural landscape in the Chippewa Valley, and includes hands-on team building exercises, daily 1-3 mile hikes on paved and rugged terrain, and standing and sitting for long periods of time.

For the most immersive experience, there are various optional programs offered outside the scheduled training period, such as observatory and telescope viewing, bat monitoring, and morning nature hikes. Though these are optional programs, we encourage attendance to get the most out of the Master Naturalist experience here at Beaver Creek Reserve. We also highly encourage participants to stay on-site during the training. This allows for easier accessibility to programs outside the scheduled training period, and continued relationship building with other Master Naturalist participants. Lodging is offered at a reasonable cost payable to Beaver Creek Reserve. For more information or to reserve lodging, contact Megan Giefer-Schimmel at megan@beavercreekreserve.org or call (715) 877-2212 for more information.

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.