Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program

at Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin, 445 Henry Mall, Room 202, Madison , 53706 United States

1. Educational Organization

Education, training, and service for volunteers and communities

Description

The Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program (WIMN) is modeled after the WI Master Gardener Program and the 25 other Master Naturalist programs in other states across the country. This is a train-the-trainer effort; the statewide Master Naturalist Program trains Instructors who then teach volunteers throughout the state. The WIMN 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, who are trained to deliver the WIMN course. Training opportunities will be located at Host Organizations — university and college campuses, environmental education centers, and museums across the state. The curriculum covers eight topic areas (geology, ecology, plants, wildlife, education/interpretation, water, aquatic life, and human influences). Two all-day field trips serve to reinforce classroom learning and provide hands-on experiences in stewardship and citizen science activities. Each chapter of the curriculum includes clear learning objectives; topic background information; suggested places to visit (Explore!) that highlight outdoor examples of chapter content; topic-specific activities (Teach!) which can be used by the volunteers to teach the material; and citizen-science and stewardship organizations (Conserve!) which provide opportunities for volunteering. A major component of the course is a required service-learning activity called a capstone project. Volunteers work in groups on an education/interpretation, stewardship, or citizen-science project. They create a report about the project, which they present on the last day of class. These capstone projects are a bridge to volunteering, introducing participants to informal science education sites that need volunteers; allowing them to undertake useful and challenging projects; providing an opportunity to develop new skills; and ensuring that they use their newly acquired knowledge and skills with mentorship from instructors. Once trained, WI Master Naturalist Volunteers must volunteer 40 hours each year and take eight hours of advanced training to maintain their certification.

Company Rating

514 FB users likes Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program, set it to 63 position in Likes Rating for Madison, Wisconsin in Education category

Summary

Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program is Madison based place and this enity listed in Educational Organization category. Located at Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin, 445 Henry Mall, Room 202 WI 53706. Contact phone number of Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program: (608) 262-0020