Minnesota Master Naturalist

Course Registration

PP - Online Fall 2023 AM section

PP online Fall 2023 AM section website

46352 STATE HIGHWAY 329
MORRIS, MN 56267

Join us for an *online* Prairies & Potholes Minnesota Master Naturalist Course. There is a Morning and Evening session; you will be able to choose the session you want when you pay.

Morning Session meets Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m

In this class you will learn about fascinating geology, plant and animal communities, shallow lakes and fens, ecology and human interactions of the tallgrass prairie biome. Travel through the transition from summer into fall on the prairie. The course will meet every Thursday for 1.5 hours online via Zoom, with interaction, discussion groups and presentations. There will be individual outdoor explorations assigned between classes, and one REQUIRED field trip day at Lac qui Parle Area, September 8 OR 9, (you can choose) during the course. Participants will be required to complete a capstone service project as part of the course, participate in weekly assignments in Canvas (online learning platform), textbook readings and all assignments. Students are expected to be at all online sessions and the field trip, but we do understand that people are busy, and you can miss up to two sessions (must watch recording) and still complete the course successfully.

Class will cover the same topics (geology, water, botany, wildlife, humans, interpretation) as an in-person class, but will take place online, using Zoom for class meetings and the learning platform Canvas.

Books and supplies will be sent directly to you before class begins. Outside of class time participants will spend approximately 2 hours per week completing assignments such as reading the text, viewing lecture videos, researching on the internet, visiting a nature location near your home, and completing journal entries.

In order to fully participate in this online class, you will need to have access to technology that allows you to access Zoom, Canvas and other internet locations as directed in class. You may use a tablet, desktop computer, laptop, or a cell phone. The experience will be best on the largest screen possible, so a desktop or laptop is best. You will need to have a working webcam and microphone on this device. Good internet connection is important. Technical skills required for this course include: ability to access Zoom (including breakout rooms), Canvas, Padlet, Google Slides. Ability to mute and unmute yourself. Ability to open and view multiple windows simultaneously. The July 13 meeting is a tech check for you to confirm that all of your (and our) technology works for you as expected, and to help you with any technical issues. We will not be able to help much during class time once class begins July 20.

The Online Canvas Course will open July 12. You will receive an electronic invite that day. The Technology check will be on July 13 and the first class session is July 20.

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 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on:

Instructor Information

Amy Rager

Amy holds a BA in Elementary Education from the College of St. Scholastica and a MEd in Environmental Leadership and Learning from the University of MN. With over 30 years of experience in cooperative extension, Amy's career has been dedicated to intertwining her work with a passion for the environment. Since its inception in 2005, she has been an integral part of the Minnesota Master Naturalist program. Hailing from the Duluth area, Amy is a true native Minnesotan who has always cherished the outdoors, finding joy in sharing her love and knowledge with others.

Andrea Lorek Strauss

Andrea Lorek Strauss grew up playing outdoors at every opportunity. Today, she is an Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Extension with a MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction/Outdoor Education. Her career focuses on environmental education, including past work for the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN, the Prairie Ecology Bus Center in southwest Minnesota, and various naturalist roles in the Boston area, northern Minnesota, and New York state.

Sponsor Information

Minnesota Master Naturalist

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