Event information
Date and time
Location
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
10360 West River Rd
Brooklyn Park,
MN
55444
Contact
Alan Holzer, [email protected]
Big Woods, Big Rivers - Brooklyn Park
We are pleased to offer the Minnesota Master Naturalist Big Woods, Big Rivers course right on the banks of the Mississippi River! Throughout this program, you’ll explore the plants, animals, history, geology, and ecology that shape Minnesota’s forests and waterways.
Participants will build valuable skills for observing the natural world, understanding ecological relationships, and confidently sharing that knowledge with others. Because our classroom is the river itself, a significant portion of each session will take place outdoors—learning, practicing, and honing field skills in and around the Mississippi.
This course includes two required full‑day field trips on Sunday, September 27 and Sunday, November 1, as well as a capstone project completed during the session.
Audience
Potential and current Master Naturalist volunteers.
Cost
$295
Includes manuals and supplies.
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. If possible, your full fee may be transferred to another biome course.
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.