Minnesota Master Naturalist

Course Registration

PP - West Central Minnesota - Prairie Woods ELC, Spicer

Prairies Woods Environmental Learning Center, Spicer, MN website

12718 10th St. NE
Spicer, MN 56288

Come join us for a Prairies and Potholes course in the Prairie Potholes region along the Glacial Ridge. In this weeklong course we will explore the unique features of our region. Our goal is to better understand how this landscape was formed and discover more about the plants, animals and humans that call this biome their home now and in the past.

You will experience a mixture of classroom work but mostly expect outdoor adventures this week. Plans for the week include a paddle to explore the Middle Fork of the Crow River in a voyageur canoe, a chance to kayak, (or wade) into wetlands to collect macroinvertebrates for observation, a trip to view the expanse of the Ordway Prairie, including visiting a fen, walking on an esker with team members working to keep the prairie healthy, and a visit Sibley State Park. During the week, each participant will complete a group capstone project connecting you to volunteer opportunities at PWELC and other organizations. On Wednesday evening we will share a meal together to allow for more time for teams to work together.

Please inform instructors before the class begins of any accessibility or mobility needs regarding outdoor activities.

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.

Housing availability:
You can arrange housing with Green Lake Lutheran Ministries at the Green Lake facility or Shores of Andrew, camp at Sibley State Park, book a room at one of the local hotels in New London or Spicer, or contact PWELC to see if there is onsite camping available.

If you are having trouble registering, please see the information below. We also have help videos you can watch.

For Registration questions contact Extension Registration, ext-reg@umn.edu
For Username or Password help contact UMN Help Desk, HELP@umn.edu, 612-301-4357.

Help Videos:
 Help with Online Payment Registration.
NOTE: The canvas link they are referring to is only for online classes, not "in person" classes.
Help with Online Payment Password Reset

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 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. on:

Instructor Information

Laura Molenaar

Laura Molenaar, a retired teacher from New London/Spicer Schools, with a MS in Educational Leadership. She is always open to opportunities to learn, hang out with children, and share her passion for the natural world. Working with students and teachers she has led the restoration of three prairie areas to create outdoor classroom spaces on the NLS campus. These outdoor classrooms provided the opportunities for students to participate in community science research. This work led to Laura receiving The Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, PAEMST. She has worked with the Monarch Lab at the University of Minnesota and is currently an education specialist with Monarch Joint Venture, MJV.
This quote from Also Leopold describes how she approaches life; “...The most fun lies in seeing and studying the unknown.” Laura has 3 grown children and lives in New London, MN with her husband Jim, golden retriever Addy and geriatric cat Latte. When she’s not working you will find her outside; biking, camping, or digging in the soil, ...

Sponsor Information

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

Register Now!

Seats Taken: 4 of 22

Log in to register!