Minnesota Master Naturalist: Big Woods Big Rivers

Event information

Date

Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - Saturday, January 6, 2024

Add to Calendar 2024-01-02 08:30:00 2024-01-06 17:00:00 Minnesota Master Naturalist: Big Woods Big Rivers Explore the Big Woods, Big Rivers at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, a University of Minnesota biological field station. Cedar Creek is a mosaic of uplands dominated by oak savanna, prairie, hardwood forest, pine forests, and abandoned agricultural fields and of lowlands comprised of ash and cedar swamps, acid bogs, marshes, and sedge meadows. Experience and learn about the ecosystems, geology, flora and fauna that define the deciduous hardwood forest.During the training, you will see ecological research in action as you explore world-renowned research sites including biodiversity and climate change. Learn more about how Minnesota-based ecological research continues to inform conservation-based land management practices locally and around the world.Participants must complete the full 40 hours of training to become a certified Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. All participants will complete small group capstone projects.Lodging options are available on-site for a nightly fee. For more information about onsite housing, email Kara Baldwin at baldwink@umn.edu. Cedar Creek Cedar Creek Cedar Creek America/Chicago public

Time

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time

Location

Cedar Creek
2660 Fawn Lake Drive NE
East Bethel, MN 55005

Contact

Kara Baldwin, 605-593-3159, baldwink@umn.edu

info@minnesotamasternaturalist.org

Explore the Big Woods, Big Rivers at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, a University of Minnesota biological field station. Cedar Creek is a mosaic of uplands dominated by oak savanna, prairie, hardwood forest, pine forests, and abandoned agricultural fields and of lowlands comprised of ash and cedar swamps, acid bogs, marshes, and sedge meadows. Experience and learn about the ecosystems, geology, flora and fauna that define the deciduous hardwood forest.

During the training, you will see ecological research in action as you explore world-renowned research sites including biodiversity and climate change. Learn more about how Minnesota-based ecological research continues to inform conservation-based land management practices locally and around the world.

Participants must complete the full 40 hours of training to become a certified Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. All participants will complete small group capstone projects.

Lodging options are available on-site for a nightly fee. For more information about onsite housing, email Kara Baldwin at baldwink@umn.edu.

Audience

Potential and current Master Naturalist volunteers.

Cost

$295

Includes manuals and supplies.

Registration

If you would like to receive a scholarship do not register now. Instead, complete this scholarship form and wait to be contacted before enrolling.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this course material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to Julie Larson, larso143@umn.edu at least two weeks in advance.

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.

Learn more about Master Naturalist volunteer training