Minnesota Master Naturalist

Course Registration

NWGL - National Loon Center: Loons, Lakes, & Linnaeus Lists!

NWGL - National Loon Center, Crosslake, MN website

14303 Gould St
Crosslake, MN 56442

NOTE: DATE CHANGE!!

Wednesdays April 5 - June 7
All Day Field Trips - April 29 and June 3


Loons, lakes, and Linnaeus Lists, oh my! Join us in the heart of lake county and the freshwater environments where our iconic state bird breeds. The waters we share with this magical presence are full of wonder and learning. Follow the call of the loon to the North Woods, Great Lakes course held at the National Loon Center in Crosslake, MN. We’ll explore common loon biology, field ecology, water quality, the species of the North Woods, stewardship, community science, and more. By the end of the course, you’ll grow your naturalist’s appreciation for the love of lake life so inherent to many Minnesotans. Through this course, you will have the opportunity to learn at the upcoming National Loon Center, a nonprofit dedicated to loon and freshwater research, conservation, and education. With the course running out of our temporary informational center, The Nest, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore the natural areas around Crosslake including the Cross Lake Recreation Area, the trails at the Crosslake Community Center, and the Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area. The course will begin before the spring migration of loons back north allowing us plenty of time to learn about loons and lakes before their arrival. The 40-hour course will also include field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on activities.

The training you receive in this course will prepare you to become involved in the many outdoor stewardship activities available in the Brainerd Lakes Area, including at the National Loon Center. We’ll finish in mid-May, at the start of the loon nesting season and the beginning of many summer volunteer programs.

The MN Master Naturalist course also requires the completion of a group capstone project. The capstones are projects that you are passionate about and can, of course, highlight iconic North Woods species like the common loon.

This course is perfect for all those with a love of loons or lakes. Aspiring naturalists and early-career conservationists will especially enjoy the training gained in a fun environment. Expect to learn many practical skills and enjoy increasing outdoor discovery time as we head into the warmer weather of spring!

The course cost is $295 and includes course manuals and supplies.

If the course cost is a hardship, please fill out the scholarship application. After the scholarship is fully processed, you will receive a code to be entered in the on-line registration process. Please wait until you receive that code to complete registration.

The course cost is $295 and includes course manuals and supplies.

If the course cost is a hardship, please fill out the scholarship application. After the scholarship is fully processed, you will receive a code to be entered in the on-line registration process. Please wait until you receive that code to complete registration.

Course Dates:

Meeting from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. on:

Instructor Information

Jane Stevens

Jane is a life-long nature lover and outdoor enthusiast. She has been a Master Naturalist since 2014. In addition to a BA in communications from Crown College, Jane has continued her Natural Resources Education with an AAS in Natural Resources Technology from Central Lakes College (CLC), a Wildlife Tourism Certificate from CLC, and an Ecology Conservation & Management Certification from Ducks Unlimited. Jane loves to participate in Citizen Science projects and has collected and recorded data for the University of Minnesota projects of Frog & Toad Calling, Wasp Watchers and Native Bee Box surveys. She is attempting to establish a native pollinator garden in her yard. Jane can often be found in the woods with a camera trying to capture and share the beauty and complexity of nature.

Natasha Bartolotta

I am the Stewardship and Outreach Manager for the National Loon Center. I migrated to MN from the East Coast where I remember hearing the call of the loon echo across the lake while backpacking in the Adirondacks. I moved to MN to work with the NLC after taking a bit of an adventure. Prior to this position, I was a research assistant for projects on chimpanzees and orangutans in Uganda and Indonesia, respectively. Then, I worked as a conservation educator at a zoo and as a Coastal Bird Technician for Audubon Louisiana. I graduated from Cornell University with my degree in Biological Sciences concentrating in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and with Distinction in Research. I enjoy birdwatching, reading, puzzles, baking (and of course eating) bread, and kayaking!

Sponsor Information

National Loon Center

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