Classes to be held at Hartman Creek
Wisconsin Master Naturalist, an effort to promote awareness, understanding and stewardship of the state’s natural resources, is developing a corps of informed volunteers throughout the state.
The program has scheduled two volunteer training courses at Hartman Creek State Park near Waupaca.
One class will be held from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 21, April 28, May 5, 12 and May 19. A weeklong session will also be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 27-31.
Anyone over 18 is eligible for the program, which will include field trips each day. Trips will include hikes in the woods to study different plant communities, forests, fungi, dragonflies and birds; water quality monitoring and aquatic animal studies; and geology. A kayak field trip will also be held if there is enough interest.
The $250 tuition cost includes a notebook of resource materials; 40 hours of training in natural history, interpretation and conservation stewardship; and membership in the volunteer network. Scholarships are available to help cover the cost.
Once trained, Wisconsin Master Naturalist volunteers are certified in education/interpretation, stewardship or citizen science. Volunteers must complete 40 hours of service each year to maintain certification, in addition to eight hours of advanced training.
More information about the program can be found at www.wimasternaturalist.org or www.friendsofhartmancreek.org.
Registration for either course can be completed at
www.wimasternaturalist.org/volunteer-course/HartmanCreekSpring2018.
Those unable to register online may call 608-262-2451 and ask to register for course 0419.