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Hartmann Creek offers naturalist training

Classes cover natural history, conservation, wildlife

Marti Sowka, a Master Naturalist volunteer from the class of April 2014, is a member of the Friends of Hartman Creek State Park. She volunteers doing children’s nature programs at the Mead Wildlife Center in central Wisconsin. Photo Submitted by Megan Karth
Marti Sowka, a Master Naturalist volunteer from the class of April 2014, is a member of the Friends of Hartman Creek State Park. She volunteers doing children’s nature programs at the Mead Wildlife Center in central Wisconsin. Photo Submitted by Megan Karth

The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program, a statewide effort to promote awareness, understanding and stewardship of the state’s natural resources, is developing a corps of informed volunteers throughout the state.

A volunteer training course will be held on six Saturdays this fall at Hartman Creek State Park near Waupaca, with field trips in the park during each class.

Class dates are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 17, Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14.
The cost is $250 and the course involves 40 hours of training in natural history, interpretation and conservation stewardship. Course topics include geology and landscapes; ecology; plant communities; wildlife; interpretation; water; aquatic life; and human impacts.

Once trained, a Wisconsin Master Naturalist provides volunteer service in one of three areas: 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.

Class size is limited to 25 participants and local instructors are Sue Eiler and Dr. Mary Trainor.

More information about the WIMN program can be found at www.wimasternaturalist.org. Go to www.wimasternaturalist.org/event/volcoursecalendar to register.

Registration deadline for the Hartman Creek course is Friday, Sept. 4. Those unable to register online are asked to contact Martha Martin at the WIMN state office at 608-262-0020 or [email protected].

Eiler can also be contacted at 715-258-8086 or [email protected], while Trainor can be reached at [email protected].

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