Event information
Date and time
Location
Northland Arboretum
14250 Conservation Drive
Brainerd,
MN
56401
Contact
Eleanor Burkett, [email protected], 218-232-4827
Big Woods, Big Rivers - Brainerd
Northland Arboretum
Northland Arboretum and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter of Master Naturalists are joining together to offer the North Woods, Great Lakes biome course as an introduction to the natural history of Minnesota’s most northeastern biome.
This 40-hour hybrid course will offer online and classroom presentations, outdoor activities, and field trips, providing 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 on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. There will be two full-day field trips. Attendance at all sessions is required.
Field trips:
- August 22: A trip on the National Loon Center's Stewardship
- September 19: A trip to Lake Superior
- A Lake Superior tour on the Sadie Ann, hosted by the Lake Superior Research Institute (weather permitting)
- Visit Hawk Ridge
Audience
Potential and current Master Naturalist volunteers.
Cost
$295
If you would like to receive a scholarship do not register now. Instead, complete this scholarship form and wait to be contacted before enrolling.
Registration
Cancellation requests received more than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus a $20 processing fee. Cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start of class are refunded minus $50. A refund will not be issued after the course has started.
Accommodations
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Language
This offering is delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available with an advance request.
About the Big Woods, Big Rivers course
In this core course, training is tailored to Minnesota's Eastern Broadleaf Forest biome. This area makes a diagonal sash across Minnesota, starting at the northwest corner of the state with a narrow band and widening out in the southeast. It encompasses approximately 12 million acres and includes three of the largest rivers in the state.
Big Woods, Big Rivers covers topics of geology, glaciers, water, wildlife, humans, ecology, and botany using a variety of teaching techniques, ranging from lectures, classroom discussions, field trips, fieldwork, small group work, and readings.
Participants must complete the full 40 hours of training to become a certified Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer.
Each participant must complete a group capstone project. Participants will choose a capstone that they can complete before finishing the course.