Course Registration
ADV - Tallgrass Aspen Parkland - Master Naturalist Road Trip
Tallgrass Aspen Parkland - Master Naturalist Road Trip website
400 Summit Ave SWFertile, MN 56540
Hit the road and join us for a journey to Minnesota’s beautiful and unique Tallgrass Aspen Parkland biome on August 14-16, 2025! For three days, we will explore the mosaic of prairies, wetlands, and aspen groves that mark the transition between the western prairies and eastern forests. Enjoy wildlife, history, landscapes, and interpretive tours during our exploration of this irreplaceable and intriguing biome. It should be a trip on every naturalist’s bucket list.
Tentative Schedule:
Day 1 - August 14: 12pm-6 pm
Meet at Agassiz Environmental Learning Center (ELC) between 12 and 1:00 pm. Topics for the first day may include Indigenous culture and history in the region, geology of the Tallgrass Aspen Parkland, the Sandhill River, and freshwater mussels. The evening will consist of dinner, followed by optional evening activities and exploration.
Day 2 - August 15: 7:30 am-6 pm
On day 2, we will take a bus tour of the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas. After lunch, we may tour nearby prairies and learn about freshwater sponges when we return to the Agassiz ELC. Dinner and optional evening activities will follow.
Day 3 – August 16: 7:30 am-12 pm
On our final day, we will carpool to the Little Norway Church to hear about settlers in the Tallgrass Aspen Parkland and explore lichens in the churchyard. We will provide lunch around noon, and people are welcome to depart from the church afterwards.
Cost: $150/person
Cost includes coach travel, meals, and educational hikes/lectures.
Lodging is available at the Shooting Star Hotel in Mahnomen at a discounted rate for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; a discount code for your room reservation will be sent to you after you register.
Registration closes – July 25th, 8:00 AM
Skill Level:
Beginner skill level, able to walk ½ mile in one hour.
Dress:
Dress for late summer weather in MN. Please prepare to be outdoors in full sun with the potential to be outdoors in rain. Tick/insect repellent and protection is strongly recommended.
Questions: Contact Griffin Bray at bray0102@umn.edu.
The course cost is $150 and includes course manuals and supplies.
Course Dates:
Meeting from 12:00 P.M. to 12:00 P.M. on:
- Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Friday, August 15, 2025
- Saturday, August 16, 2025
Instructor Information
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.
I am an Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Extension with a MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction/Outdoor Education. Since 1992 my career has focused on environmental education in various forms, 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. Ask me about participatory science, outdoor interpretation, universal program design, spring ephemeral wildflowers, or anything wildlife related! And by all means, let's talk about iNaturalist! Outside of work I enjoy anything crafty -- lately I am enjoying quilting, crochet and mosaic arts -- and riding my eBike.
John is a Certified Wildlife Biologist, Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Minnesota Crookston, and an Extension Wildlife Specialist. He has worked with the University of Minnesota Extension Service on wildlife-related issues with the Master Naturalist, Master Gardener, and Woodland Adviser programs since 2001. He regularly speaks to groups on human-wildlife interactions, wildlife damage management, and enhancing landscapes for wildlife. His collegiate teaching focuses on Wildlife Ecology, Ornithology, Mammalogy, Fisheries Management, and Environmental Statistics. His research focuses on habitat associations and reproductive performance of wild birds. John holds a BS in Biology and Zoology from North Dakota State University, a MS and PhD in Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech and Oregon State University, respectively.
Always balancing between art and horticulture, Zan taught computer graphic design at Illinois Central College, Peoria High School and American Indian OIC. Previously, she was a program manager in horticulture and conservation for Fon du lac Park district in East Peoria, IL, where she promoted U of I Master Gardener & Junior Master Gardener programs. Before that she was a staff photographer & editor at State Farm Insurance, Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Audubon Magazine.
She has a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Art Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Masters in Fine Arts Photography from Illinois State. She has MN teaching license, Master Gardener’s designation from Purdue and University of IL and is currently a horticulture student at Hennepin Technical College.
Griffin has worked as a field and interpretive naturalist across the upper Great Lakes region, planning and leading nature programming and doing research, surveys, and field work for state, federal, and local governments, nonprofits, and private organizations. He currently works with the Minnesota Master Naturalist program.
Sponsor Information
Minnesota Master Naturalist
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