Naturalist training will share lessons from connecting youth and the outdoors

Working together on nature photography. (Photo courtesy Northwest Passage)

Northwest Passage in Webster, WI will offer the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteer Training Course this spring with a focus on nature as a therapeutic tool for youth.

The subject areas included in the Master Naturalist training include geology, ecology, plant communities, wildlife, interpretation, water, and human impacts. In addition to these, the course will include lessons and workshops focusing on best practices and methods for working with youth with mental health and behavioral challenges.

A Master Naturalist instruction manual will be provided and used as a guiding resource for the course. Guest speakers will include regional natural history experts as well as members of Northwest Passage’s Clinical Team and group facilitators. This specific course will appeal to enthusiastic educators with a passion not only for the nature of Wisconsin, but also with a desire to engage marginalized youth in the outdoors.

Northwest Passage is a non-profit residential youth mental health program with a 40 year history of leadership and innovation in the field. After course completion, Northwest Passage will have available immediate opportunities for volunteer naturalists to work with their students and dynamic staff on and near their Northwest Wisconsin campuses.

The Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program is a network of well-informed citizens dedicated to conservation education and service within Wisconsin communities. The Master Naturalist Volunteer Training Course provides 40 hours of coursework in natural history, interpretation, and conservation stewardship. Courses combine classroom instruction with field experiences and are taught by professional natural resources educators and scientists. Once trained, Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteers provide 40 hours of service and take 8 hours of advanced training each year to maintain their certification and receive a recognition pin.

Schedule: This course will run every other weekend beginning on April 7, 2018 and will end on May 20, 2018.

Saturday, April 7: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 8: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 21: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Field Trip)
Saturday, May 5: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Field Trip)
Saturday, May 19: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 20: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Fee: $250 includes all class materials and a one-year membership with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

Location: Northwest Passage’s In a New Light Gallery, 7417 N Bass Lake Rd, Webster, WI 54893

Questions?: info@wimasternaturalist.org

Please Note: Course participants who want to be certified Master Naturalist Volunteers will be required to:

Attend at least 90% of classroom time and all field study.
Participate in field trips, even in inclement weather.
Some travel in personal vehicles may be necessary to reach field trip locations.
Some field trips may involve some moderate activity on uneven terrain. Please consult with the program office (info@wimasternaturalist.org) before registering if you have concerns.
Complete a capstone project during the course.

Registration:

Registration deadline is March 27, 2018
Class size is limited to 20 participants.
Course cancellation policies:
- If a registrant cancels his/her registration for this course prior to March 27, 2018, s/he will receive a full refund less a $25 administrative fee. No refund will be made if a registrant cancels after the course deadline (03/27/2018).
- The Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program reserves the right to cancel a course if fewer than 10 people register by the registration deadline. If the program cancels the course, all registrants will receive a full refund.