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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 Bird Song
Type
--
Days
Sa
Time
10:00AM to 4:00PM
Dates
Jun 21, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
6.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)
Section Details
Birds are incredible songsters. Some species are expert mimics, some species are tireless songsters, while some species barely make any sound at all! This Advanced Training will be great for folks wishing to learn about bird song (how birds make sound and why), for folks hoping to become better birders (especially by ear!), and for those who just want to know what that sound is in their neighborhood! This course will serve as a baseline to supplement what you might already know or to help build a good foundation on understanding birds and their sounds.

Location address: 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 - Aquatic Ecology and Biodiversity
Type
--
Days
Su
Time
10:00AM to 4:00PM
Dates
Jul 20, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
6.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)
Section Details
Wetlands, lakes, rivers, and streams dot Minnesota’s landscape. These aquatic ecosystems are incredibly important for humans and animals alike! But, have you ever had a chance to wade into the muck and see what lives in the ponds and streams you see every day? This training will focus on learning how to identify wetlands, streams, and lakes as well as serve as an exploration of the aquatic biodiversity therein!

Location address: 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 Plant Morphology and Ecology
Type
--
Days
Su
Time
10:00AM to 4:00PM
Dates
Aug 03, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
6.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)
Section Details
While field trips allow us to explore and experience an ecosystem and the species found within that ecosystem, there is often not time to delve into the nuance of specific groups. This course will take a deeper dive into the nuance of plant morphology, including taxonomy, pollination ecology, and more. We will limit our investigations to plants you might encounter out and about in wild and urban areas, to help build your understanding of plants in the places you frequent. There will be an indoor and outdoor section to this course, offering two different ways to approach learning plants and their variations. An Introduction to Plant Morphology and Ecology is great for folks just starting their journey with plant ID, as well as those who want to improve their understanding of how plants function as part of a greater ecosystem.

Location address: 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 - Tallgrass Aspen Parkland - Master Naturalist Road Trip.
Type
--
Days
Th
Time
12:00PM to 6:00PM
Dates
Aug 14, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Type
--
Days
F
Time
7:30AM to 6:00PM
Dates
Aug 15, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Type
--
Days
Sa
Time
7:30AM to 12:00PM
Dates
Aug 16, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
21.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)
Section Details
Take the road less traveled for a journey to Minnesota’s “Lost Biome,” the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands, August 14-16, 2025! The adventure begins in Fertile, MN, and for three days, you can explore the mosaic of prairies, wetlands, and aspen and oak groves that mark the transition between the western prairies and eastern forests. Enjoy wildlife, history, landscapes, and interpretive tours during this exploration of the irreplaceable and intriguing northwestern region of Minnesota. It should be a trip on every naturalist’s bucket list.

Registration closes August 1, 8 a.m.

Cost: $150/person
Cost includes coach travel, meals, and onsite lectures. Lodging is available at the Shooting Star Hotel in Mahnomen at a discounted rate for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; a discount code to use on your room reservation will be sent to you after you register.

Skill Level:
Beginner skill level, able to walk a half mile in one hour.

Dress:
Dress for late summer weather in MN. Please prepare to be outdoors in full sun with the potential to be outdoors in rain. Insect repellent and protection is strongly recommended.

Questions: Contact Griffin Bray at bray0102@umn.edu.

Location address: 400 Summit Ave SW, Fertile, MN 56540

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 - Spiders in Minnesota
Type
--
Days
Sa
Time
10:00AM to 4:00PM
Dates
Sep 06, 2025
Campus
Off-Campus
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
6.0
Location
  • Off-Campus
Course Fee(s)
Section Details
While field trips allow us to explore and experience an ecosystem and the species found within that ecosystem, there is often not time to delve into the nuance of specific groups. Spiders are an interesting bunch: some folks have nothing but nice things to say about them, while others cannot bear to be within several hundred feet of these eight-legged wonders. The Sax-Zim Bog has nearly 150 species of spider, including several first state record and dozens of new county record species in the last few years. This course will take a deeper dive into the world of spiders. We will spend some time indoors learning about the natural and cultural history of spiders, ID tips and pointers, and how to better coexist with these creatures. Following this, we will head out and about to talk about webs and look for some spiders. This is a great course for those wishing to learn a little more about spiders and perhaps build a positive relationship with this awesome group of critters.

Location address: 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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