Friends of Urban Nature (FUN), a coalition of Madison Parks, friends groups, and nature groups, is happy to offer its sixth Summer Wisconsin Master Naturalist training. Held on a series of Saturdays in July and August, this training offers a special focus on learning about nature recreation, nature education, nature restoration, and connecting communities and kids with nature.

FIELD TRIPS

Each Saturday session has a mix of indoor and outdoor education featuring morning and afternoon field trips. Naturalists and topic experts will help you discover and interpret the history, geology, human impacts, ecology, birds and wildlife of nearby urban natural areas including Warner Park, Cherokee Marsh, UW Arboretum, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

TOPICS

Wisconsin’s historic prairies, oak openings, lakes, rivers, and streams, and the native birds, wildlife and natural ecosystems they support, and related topic chapters from the Master Naturalist training materials will be woven into all of our studies. Participants will also meet representatives of DNR, parks, friends and nature groups to learn about many opportunities for Master Naturalists to engage as volunteers, participate in citizen science, help provide leadership for activities, job opportunities, and community involvement.

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 just outside of Eau Claire in Fall Creek, WI, is partnering with Wisconsin Master Naturalist to offer another great Volunteer Training. This training begins Sunday, July 31st and continues daily for the following six days. Beaver Creek Reserve has over 400 acres of land, which allows individuals to explore diverse ecosystems that are home to many native plant and animal species. Our expert staff and guest speakers will share their knowledge of environmental topics both inside and outside the classroom. Topics include geologic history, aquatics, vegetation and wildlife, astronomy, as well as human impact on the environment. Our training focuses on the natural landscape and all that it encompasses in the Chippewa Valley! This training will help you gain valuable knowledge and skills to grow as a leader within your community. Join Beaver Creek Reserve in supporting our mission by connecting people of all ages with nature!

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.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center will host its fifth Wisconsin Master Naturalist training beginning August 16th. The class will be held almost entirely outside for field experiences at Schlitz Audubon’s 185 acres. We will explore the property’s diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, restored prairies, and the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Participants will meet birds from our Raptor Program and learn from our skilled naturalists about community science, nature education, conservation, and more. On our field trips, we will visit some of the other unique natural areas around the greater Milwaukee area.

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.

Pheasant Branch Conservancy includes 500 acres of remnant and seeded prairie, oak savanna, woodlands, springs, wetlands, and stream corridors. This training will include some classroom time, but will focus mostly on outdoor experiences in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and field trips to other exceptional sites for learning in our topic areas. Experts will share their knowledge, research, tips, tricks and inspiration as they lead or present parts of the training. The training will look within the Conservancy and other places in the Pheasant Branch Watershed and beyond to explore geologic history, ecology, water, animal and plant life, and the connections between humans and landscapes. The training will focus on water in relation to each topic area, while highlighting restoration and management activities and a service-learning approach through citizen science.

The target audience includes individuals who are interested in teaching using the outdoors as a classroom as well as folks interested in volunteering for restoration and management of natural areas all while gaining an environmental knowledge base. Plan to arrange your own transportation to outdoor sites.

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 Volunteer training in August and September. Programming will be held at the Discovery Center campus and outdoor classroom. 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.

Trees For Tomorrow (TFT), a natural resources specialty school, in Eagle River will be hosting a Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteer Training. Join TFT staff and regional experts in a week-long exploration of the waters, forests, wildlife, and geology that make the Northwoods so special. TFT will provide a free continental breakfast and lunch each day. Lodging is available for an additional cost payable to TFT, for more information contact Jenny Sadak at jenny@treesfortomorrow.com or 715-479-6456.

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.