By Paul Noeldner
Friends of Urban Nature Groups

The Madison FUN (Friends of Urban Nature) summer Wisconsin Master Naturalist Class will be offered again this year on six Saturdays in July and August. The curriculum is provided by UW-Madison and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This class is hosted at Warner Park and co-sponsored by Madison FUN partner groups Madison Parks, Madison Audubon, Wild Warner, Friends of Cherokee Marsh and other partner groups.

Master Naturalist students are a mix of ages and educational backgrounds who enjoy learning more about a broad variety of nature topics from UW faculty, DNR staff and other experts on outdoor field studies. The Madison FUN class offers a special focus on connecting communities and children with urban nature and opportunities to volunteer with local groups as part of capstone projects. 

Several Northside Master Naturalist graduates are actively engaged with Northside groups:

Tim Nelson served as president of Wild Warner and volunteers frequently with other local groups, including Friends of Cherokee Marsh. After completing the Master Naturalist program, Tim had the opportunity to be a summer volunteer at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to assist visiting kayakers, boaters, hikers and campers; monitor black bear activity; and maintain trails and campsites. Tim also often helps Friends of Cherokee Marsh remove several acres of invasive Phragmites from the Cherokee Marsh State Natural Area. Tim’s main project as a member of Wild Warner is working with volunteers to remove invasive plants from Castle Creek and encourage growth of native ones. 

Kathlean Wolf is the current president of Wild Warner and often leads weekly bird and nature outings at Warner Park, Cherokee Marsh and other Madison locations. A born naturalist, Kathlean is often waist deep in Warner Pond looking at invasive species among the cattails and examining and logging species of fungi in Warner Woods. 

Alex Singer honed his naturalist/guiding skills in the Ecuadorian Amazon. He leads many bird and nature outings, and helps teach new Master Naturalist students. Alex has been active with Wild Ones for many years and often volunteers with Wild Warner and Friends of Cherokee Marsh activities. 

Sheila Leary is on the Friends of Cherokee Marsh board and has developed a brochure and presentation about Cherokee Marsh that she uses to speak at neighborhood groups and organizations.

When you see them in our parks or at meetings, please thank these Master Naturalists and other Northside volunteers for all their hard work. 

If you are interested in becoming a Master Naturalist volunteer, there is more information at wimasternaturalist.org and the opportunity to sign up for this year’s Madison FUN Master Naturalist Class and apply for a scholarship, if needed.