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Fascinated with nature?

Master Naturalist training at Hartman Creek

Want to learn more about the geology, forests, waters, plants, animals and ecology of Wisconsin?

Want to make Wisconsin a better place by volunteering at parks and other public lands?

The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program is a statewide effort to promote understanding and stewardship of natural resources and develop a statewide corps of informed volunteers.

Registration is now open through Friday, April 14, for a training course to be held on five Saturdays from April 22 to June 3 at Hartman Creek State Park near Waupaca. Another five-day intensive course is scheduled for Aug. 14-18.

Hartman Creek State Park contains a variety of ecosystems, geological features, lakes and streams and includes the Pope Lake State Natural Area. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail loops through the park as well as well.

Classes will be held in a heated shelter near two lakes and the training relies heavily on field work with instructors and guest experts. Past field trips, all held in or near the park, included studying and monitoring lakes and streams; dragonflies and birds; forests; fungi; and geology. Kayak field trips have been offered in the past.

The $250 cost includes a large notebook of resource materials, personalized instruction and field trips. Scholarships are available through the state and the Friends of Hartman Creek State Park.

Like the Master Gardener program, graduates are required to donate 40 hours of volunteer time a year and obtain eight hours of advanced training.

Visit www.wimasternaturalist.org and look for trainings. The Friends of Hartman Creek State Park has a web site – friendsofhartmancreek.org – and a Facebook page.

Contact the WIMN office at 608-262-0020 or Martha Martin at [email protected] for more information.

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