Skip to main content

Boreal Community Media

Registration open for Masters courses from Sugarloaf

Dec 06, 2019 06:39AM ● By Editor
From Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association - December 6, 2019

Look for something for you favorite North Shore nature lover and/or landowner. Sugarloaf has two great opportunities for you - Master Naturalist training and our Lost Forest class.

Master Naturalist/Northwoods Course
This winter, Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association is offering Master Naturalist training in Duluth at the Limnology Building next to the Lester River.  You will learn about the fascinating geology, plant and animal communities, inland lakes and bogs, ecology and human interactions of the Northwoods, as well as how Lake Superior impacts and interacts with these ecosystems. This course offers guest speakers and unique experiences in a beautiful location.  Travel through the transition from the ice and snow of winter into the greening spring in the Northwoods on Lake Superior! 

The course will run from 9 am to 5 pm every other Saturday (with a bit wider gap in March) for 6 sessions beginning February 22 and ending May 2, 2020. Field trips will be incorporated into the scheduled class days. A capstone project is expected of participants, as well as the commitment to volunteer for 40 hours during the year.

Visit Minnesota Master Naturalist to register.
The course cost is $295 and includes course manuals and materials. Scholarships are available.
Minimum 12 participants required.
Course Dates:
  • Saturday, February 22, 2020
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020
  • Saturday, March 23, 2019
  • Saturday, April 4, 2020
  • Saturday, April 18, 2020
  • Saturday, May 2, 2020
Lost Forest/Master Woodland courses start March 31.
NOTE: This is a year-long class with various dates. See description below.
We know how deeply you care about your property, that’s why we’ve developed the Master Woodland Owner program and tailored the North Shore/Lost Forest class. This comprehensive education program provides you with the resources you need to restore long lived conifers to your property, protect your trees from deer browse and keep your woodland healthy for future generations.

Education to Fit your Schedule

Eleven self-paced e-learning modules are included. Each module contains exercises and group discussions. A new module is opened every two weeks. 

Meet with and learn from your neighbors: Four in-person field tours will be held at participant’s properties. To answer your questions, and dig deeper into topics of interest, four phone/web conferences will be held.

The first phone/web conference will be held on Tuesday March 31. The first e-learning module opens on Thursday April 2. The first in-person field tour will be at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center on Friday June 12, 2019.

Comprehensive Learning
After completing the Master Woodland Owner program, you will:
  • Understand how to restore and protect long lived conifers on your property,
  • Have an action plan for completing one project,
  • Know who to contact if you need assistance, and
  • Understand what species are likely to thrive as our climate changes.
It takes years to grow a healthy forest. We will help you care for, and plan for the future of your woodland.

Registration
Registration is now open. (You will be redirected to a University of MN Extension website). A rate of $275 includes the first two family members. Additional members may register for $50. The fee also includes a site visit to the participant’s woodland property, if interested, by one of the instructors.

Course content questions: Mike Reichenbach, [email protected], 218-726-6470
Registration: Emily Dombeck, [email protected], 612-624-6709

This program is supported and co-sponsored by Sugarloaf:The North Shore Stewardship Association.
Boreal Ship Spotter - larger view here