By Paul Noeldner
Friends of Urban Nature

The third annual Madison Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) summer Wisconsin Master Naturalist class certified 19 Master Naturalist volunteers, with a focus on Connecting Communities and Kids with Nature. You will enjoy meeting some of these great people as they volunteer with nature-related groups on the Northside and help with bird and nature outings, bluebird trails and other projects around the Madison area.

Held on six Saturdays in July and August at Warner Park, the UW Extension/DNR-certified class is co-sponsored by FUN partners Madison Parks, Madison Audubon, Wild Warner, Friends of Cherokee Marsh and other local Friends and environmental groups. Taking a Master Naturalist class is a lot like becoming a master gardener. Students learn a broad range of nature-related topics. Field studies are led by UW professors, DNR staff and other experts who love to share their knowledge.

Capstone projects initiated by the students include a report about Madison’s new Centennial Springs State Park, a Cherokee Marsh brochure for neighborhood residents, identifying bugs on plants, the making of a monarch, nest box wars, a guide to birds of Madison and family nature observations at Olbrich.

These volunteers are ready to help with rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and other projects that benefit both wildlife and the community. Please help support Madison Parks and FUN groups.

The class will be offered again in summer 2019. See wimasternaturalist.org or contact paul_noeldner@hotmail.com for more information. Take your love of nature and community up a notch.