Sunday May 18

Presenters:  Maddi Nistler & Natasha Bartolotta

Description:  We’re all a little loony for Minnesota’s state bird! Whether you only know Common Loons by their iconic calls, or you are a long time loon watcher, these charismatic birds will never stop surprising you. This on-the-water session will dive into the physical and behavioral characteristics that make Common Loons unique, as well as aspects of the intricate ecological network of freshwater ecosystems. We will take a boat tour of Gull Lake and discuss some best practices that you can adopt to better protect loons from the environmental conflicts we see today. 

Level of activity:  Inactive

Audience Experience Level: Beginner, intermediate

Presenter biographies:

• Maddi Nistler is a member of the Minnesota GreenCorps program, serving as Community Readiness and Outreach personnel with the National Loon Center since 2023. Her life-long love for the outdoors led her to become a Master Naturalist in 2023. Since moving here from Colorado in 2019, Maddi has continued to share her passion for wildlife with others through the Loon Center and beyond. She can often be found off the grid with a fishing rod, or talking to trees and local squirrels.

• Natasha Bartolotta joined the National Loon Center in November of 2021, migrating to the Midwest all the way from the Northeast. She became a Minnesota Master Naturalist in 2022 and co-taught the North Woods, Great Lakes course at the NLC in 2023. Natasha is an avid hiker, kayaker, reader, and baker (and eater) of bread.  

Presenters:  Tanner Barnharst

Description:  The workshop will give you hands on time with dozens of lichens enabling you to learn about lichens intuitively. You will become familiar with the primary lichen forms and features needed for identification all while getting hands on time with lichens from Minnesota.

Level of activity:  A little bit active

Audience Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Presenter biographies:

• • Tanner Barnharst (he/they) has been teaching for over 15 years and enjoys the art of passing on knowledge. Tanner has been leading mushroom and lichen walks for nearly 10 years and recently published the Minnesota Lichen Guide. The guide is available as a free download at Tanner's Lichen Guide website. Tanner holds a BS in Microbiology and an MS in Environmental Engineering. Tanner enjoys reading science-fiction, practicing photography, and being outdoors as much as possible.

Presenters:  Rebecca Beduhn

Description:  We will discuss key indicators used to differentiate wetlands from adjacent uplands, including soil saturation, organic matter content, and plant communities. Working in teams, attendees will dig soil pits at different landscape positions, comparing soil properties, vegetation, and hydrology across the gradient.  The session will include a discussion on the ecological benefits of wetlands and an overview of Minnesota-specific wetland regulations.

Level of activity:  Moderately active

Audience Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Presenter biographies:

• Rebecca Beduhn, MCWP, PWS, is a wetland professional with 14+ years of experience in delineation and permitting. A member of the Minnesota Wetland Professionals Association, she has worked on 250+ projects across six states, delineating thousands of basins. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.S. in Soil Science from the University of Minnesota. Her master’s research focused on redoximorphic features and water table modeling. With expertise in wetland assessment and regulatory compliance, Rebecca is committed to preserving and managing wetland ecosystems while balancing conservation and land use needs.

Presenters:  Griffin Bray

Description:  As nature enthusiasts, we love getting outside and sharing the natural world with others. But how can we do that most effectively, especially with larger groups of people? Take a walk with us and explore proven techniques that can help you elevate your education and interpretation hikes. We will go outdoors, so please prepare for the weather.

Level of activity:  Moderately active (walking, standing)

Audience Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced

Presenter biographies:

• Griffin Bray is a naturalist with seven years of experience interpreting the Great Lakes region. He has led hundreds of outdoor programs for all ages.

Presenters:  Will Bartsch & Cindy Hagley

Description:  Bring your laptop, tablet, or a computer-carrying friend and get acquainted with the online Minnesota Natural Resource Atlas, an interactive mapping tool designed for speed and ease of use. The Atlas is paired with 500+ data layers, from A (agriculture) to W (water, watersheds). Loaner laptops may be available.

Level of activity:  A little bit active

Audience Experience Level: Beginner

Presenter biographies:

• Will Bartsch leads the Data Collection and Delivery Research Group at the Natural Resources Research Institute. He was pivotal in the development of the MN Natural Resource Atlas. Will’s research focuses on the development and analysis of spatial data to better understand aquatic and terrestrial environments. He is particularly interested in increasing access to spatial data in an effort to both facilitate communication about Minnesota’s natural resources and improve the decisions that impact those resources. Will holds an M.S. in Water Resource Science from UMD. 

• Cindy Hagley is an outreach specialist working part-time with the Natural Resources Research Institute on training to use the MN Natural Resource Atlas. Cindy has an MS in water quality and ecology from the University of California and worked for many years with the Minnesota Sea Grant program developing and providing training and education around shoreland management, teacher professional development, and water quality.

Presenters:  Amy Rager

Description:  American White Pelicans are more frequently seen across Minnesota in recent years.  Come and learn all about the history and life cycle of these amazing large waterbirds.

Level of activity:  Inactive

Audience Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Presenter biographies:

• 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.