In partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension, Camp Fire’s Master Naturalist program recently celebrated the graduation of 22 inquisitive students from the “Big Woods, Big Rivers” course. The immersive program connects curious students in Minnesota’s natural landscapes through hands-on learning, field experiences, and expert-led discussions. Participants were introduced to the natural history of Minnesota’s deciduous forests, covering topics like animal tracking, ecology, environmental interpretation, water systems, plant and tree identification, and human influence.
The Third Cohort of Master Naturalists Graduate
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Day 1 & 2 –
The first two days students got to know each other, set goals for themselves, explored geology, ecology, and water systems through hands-on activities. Day 1 included mineral testing, a food web game, and discussions on ecological footprints, while Day 2 focused on tree identification, building watershed models, and animal tracking, along with time for capstone planning.
Day 3 –
Day 3 was filled with getting out into the community! The first stop was a guided hike led by the Minnesota DNR at the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center at the Fort Snelling State Park.
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Explored the geology of the region, focusing on the significance of St. Peter sandstone.
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Visited the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, learning about the strategic importance of Fort Snelling’s location.
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Discovered the history of St. Anthony Falls, a 175-foot waterfall that shaped the river valley at Fort Snelling.
The second stop was interpretation training at the Bell Museum.
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Explored the museum with a fun game of Bingo, along with bird, skull, and tree identification activities.
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Collaborated in groups to develop interpretive signage for a specific scenario and presented it.
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Explored techniques for teaching nature to children at various developmental stages.
Day 4 & 5 –
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Explored Aquatic Life through activities such as created ecospheres, studied microinvertebrates, and conducted water quality testing.
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Hiked Lowry Nature Center and Camp Fire’s ‘Front 40’ trails, focusing on tree identification, animal tracking, and invasive species.
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Discussed indigenous history and explored the nature gap.
Final Day –
The program culminates in capstone project presentations and a graduation ceremony, equipping participants with the skills to become environmental stewards and advocates. Many capstone projects furthered Camp Fire’s curriculum with topics such as place-based learning and developing rain gardens at our Excelsior property.
Other Highlights –
Students visited the MN Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, soil and mineral testing, and tree surveys. 
Whether you’re looking to expand your ecological knowledge or make a direct impact, this program offers a fun and hands-on experience to becoming a Minnesota Master Naturalist.