This 40-hour hybrid course will offer online and classroom presentations, outdoor activities and field trips provide opportunities for participants to explore and learn about the plant communities, wildlife, geology, and aquatic systems typical of this biome.

This course will take place August 12 - Sept 23 on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Two full-day field trips include

(1) August 22nd a trip aboard the National Loon Center's Stewardship with education about our state bird, current loon research and the center’s program offerings.
(2) A full extended day field trip to Lake Superior on September 19 will include an education tour aboard the Sadie Ann through the Lake Superior Research Institute (weather permitting), a visit to Hawk Ridge to observe the fall bird migration and other natural history attractions of the Duluth area.

Attendance at all sessions including the field trips is required. All participants will contribute to a small group capstone service project to be described in class.

Location

Northland Arboretum, 14520 Conservation Drive, Brainerd, MN

Cancellation policy

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. A refund will not be issued after the course has started.

Scholarships

If you need a scholarship to participate in this course DO NOT REGISTER. Instead, complete the scholarship form and wait to be contacted before paying: https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rIvVxoy9qlFz9j

Spend a week on the North Shore of Lake Superior exploring with Wolf Ridge Professional Naturalists. With our 2,000 acre main campus, our Lake Superior Field Station, and our proximity to the Superior National Forest, you'll get to experience the magic of the Northwoods, Great Lakes Biome. This course is great for learners of all levels and abilities as Wolf Ridge staff strive to make the course meaningful and memorable for all participants.

Focused on field experiences and meaningful capstone projects, we will explore hidden gems and tucked away wild spaces while learning about the Lake Superior watershed, lichens, bird banding, and ecological connections. Explore wetlands, cliff communities, upland forests and the Baptism River watershed not commonly found by tourists. You'll learn essential Naturalist Practices, too, with tools, and skills for further exploration in any biome. .

Location: Wolf Ridge ELC, 6282 Cranberry Road, Finland, MN 55603

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.

If you need a scholarship to participate in this course DO NOT REGISTER. Instead, complete the scholarship form and wait to be contacted before paying: https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rIvVxoy9qlFz9j

This training will take place right in the heart of the Sax-Zim Bog at the newly constructed Lois King Education Center at the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. We will hope to spend a majority of our time together outdoors experiencing everything that this location has to offer in the context of Master Naturalist Training! There is no better way to learn about a biome than to get out and experience it firsthand and early fall can be great time to visit and learn about the Northwoods. This course will take place over one week, August 17 to August 21.

All participants will complete a small group capstone service project to be described at the beginning of the course.

Participants should expect to be outside in a wide range of environmental conditions (light rain, warm temps, muddy conditions, etc). Expect some hiking to be done, primarily along gravel roads, level boardwalks, with mostly level terrain through the duration of the course. Restrooms and our meeting location are both accessible locations. With further questions about expectations for hiking, accessibility notes, or weather conditions prior to registration, feel free to contact course instructor FOSZB Head Naturalist Clinton Dexter-Nienhaus at naturalist@saxzim.org.

Location

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

Cancellation policy

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. A refund will not be issued after the course has started.

Scholarships

If you need a scholarship to participate in this course DO NOT REGISTER. Instead, complete the scholarship form and wait to be contacted before paying: https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rIvVxoy9qlFz9j