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Description

Advanced training courses provide Master Naturalists and the public with opportunities to participate in a recreational activity and learn about a new natural resource topic. Topics build on the curriculum taught in our core biome courses, but participants do not need to be a Master Naturalist in order to take any of the advanced training courses.

Course content questions

info@minnesotamasternaturalist.org

Registration questions

Extension Registration, ext-reg@umn.edu

User Name or Password help

UMN Help Desk, HELP@umn.edu, 612-301-4357


Visit the Minnesota Master Naturalist website for more information on this and upcoming courses.

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Section Title
ADV - Introduction to Minnesota Mammals, Meadowlands
Type
--
Days
Sa
Time
10:00AM to 3:00PM
Dates
Dec 13, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
5.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)

Section Details

Minnesota contains a diverse set of biology included within the four major biomes in our state. There is a lot of interest by naturalists in the plants, birds, and bugs, but very few folks that are recreationally interested in the mammals of the state! Which makes sense, to some degree, as mammals are typically a very difficult group of organisms to view. This course will serve as an introduction into the mammal diversity in Minnesota, as well as talk strategies to view some of these critters that call the wildlands and urban ecosystems home year-round.

Location: Sax-Zim Bog, 8793 Owl Avenue, Meadowlands, MN 55765

Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $10.00 processing fee. For cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class, no refunds will be given.

 

Section Title
ADV - Northwood's Winter Writer's Retreat, Palisade, MN
Type
--
Days
Su
Time
1:00PM to 7:00PM
Dates
Jan 04, 2026
Campus
Off-Campus
Type
--
Days
M
Time
8:00AM to 7:00PM
Dates
Jan 05, 2026
Campus
Off-Campus
Type
--
Days
T
Time
8:00AM to 7:00PM
Dates
Jan 06, 2026
Campus
Off-Campus
Type
--
Days
W
Time
8:00AM to 1:00PM
Dates
Jan 07, 2026
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
33.0
Location
  • Off-Campus

Section Details

Once upon a time, there was a Northwood's winter writer's retreat. Storytelling is a powerful and meaningful way to connect with and share the lessons of nature. Minnesota Master Naturalists with literary aspirations or interest across all forms and genres are encouraged to enjoy fellowship and explore avenues of ecological stewardship through the medium of writing. Participants will attend daily readings from local authors and storytellers and create/hone writing projects of their own over the course of their stay through 8+ hours of naturalist-led group workshops and generative activities.

Location address: Long Lake Conservation Center, 28952 438th Lane, Palisade, MN 56469

Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $20.00 processing fee. Cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus $50.00.

 

Section Title
ADV - Snow Ecology, Meadowlands
Type
--
Days
Su
Time
10:00AM to 3:00PM
Dates
Jan 18, 2026
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
5.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)

Section Details

Minnesotans have a couple of very interesting quirks. We love to talk about the weather and we love to complain about the weather! In a state as dynamic as ours, how much do we actually know about the season that has become such a huge part of our cultural identity? Is winter really that important? Does snow cover matter? This field trip will serve as a good introduction to everything snow. Join us for this interesting foray into the winter wonderland around us.

Location: Sax-Zim Bog, 8793 Owl Avenue, Meadowlands, MN 55765

Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $10.00 processing fee. For cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class, no refunds will be given.

 

Section Title
ADV - Winter Through a Hand Lens, Meadowlands
Type
--
Days
Sa
Time
10:00AM to 3:00PM
Dates
Feb 21, 2026
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
5.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)

Section Details

Hand lenses are a great way to investigate something up close and personal! Naturalists tend to have a hand lens in their bags, whether or not they use them, as a good way to take a closer look at a subject. In the winter there are still things to look at: snowflakes, insect tunnels in wood, lichens, tree rings… the list goes on. Join us for a field trip, which will focus (literally!) on looking at things closely. Please bring a hand lens, and if you do not have one, we have a limited number to use at the Welcome Center (email Head Naturalist Clinton at naturalist@saxzim.org to reserve).

Location: Sax-Zim Bog, 8793 Owl Avenue, Meadowlands, MN 55765

Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $10.00 processing fee. For cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class, no refunds will be given.

Section Title
ADV - Introduction to Late Winter and Early Spring Insects, Meadowlands
Type
--
Days
Su
Time
10:00AM to 3:00PM
Dates
Mar 08, 2026
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
5.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)

Section Details

Throughout the winter, there are a number of insects that are active as the winter air warms during bright, sunny days. Spiders, craneflies, caddisflies, and springtails all can be found wander across the surface of the snow, looking for prey or even to breed during the deep winter months. This final field trip of our winter season hopes to explore the later part of winter to see a few of these interesting critters and learn about how in the world these cold-blooded creatures can survive the frigid north.

Location: Sax-Zim Bog, 8793 Owl Avenue, Meadowlands, MN 55765

Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $10.00 processing fee. For cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class, no refunds will be given.

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