Minnesota Master Naturalist

Course Registration

BWBR - Big Woods, Big Rivers, MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Rapids Lake Unit, Carver

Big Woods, Big Rivers, MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Rapids Lake Unit, Carver website

15865 Rapids Lake Road
Carver, MN 55315

Join us for a week-long Big Woods, Big Rivers class at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Rapids Lake Unit in Carver to learn all about this unique ecosystem. We will cover the topics of geology, botany, wildlife, water, communications, humans and how to be a Minnesota Master Naturalist. Class sessions will be a mix of lecture, hands-on activities, field trips and field experiences. We will be indoors and outdoors, so dress for the weather!

We will meet each day from 8:30 am-4:30 pm, and we will stay until 7 pm on Wednesday so that we can get out early on Friday. Students are expected to attend all sessions and a capstone project to complete the course and become a Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteer.

This course is being offered for FREE and is being paid for by the Friends of Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. THANKS to this group for this opportunity.

The course cost is $225 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 4:30 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.

John Loegering

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.

Sponsor Information

MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge

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