Exciting workshops for educators! 

Shift from teacher to student. Build your skill set, learn a new subject, and have fun – all at the same time! Check out the many workshops, trainings, and conferences for educators and others!

Visit the Nature Net calendar for specific upcoming workshops (listed in green):

Nature Net Member Offerings

Aldo Leopold Foundation

Leopold Education Project & other trainings 

Following Aldo Leopold example, the Aldo Leopold Foundation offers courses and programs to help individuals deepen their ecological understanding, better care for people and nature in their own communities, and inspire others to do the same. Many programs take place at the Leopold Center and Shack, whose surrounding woods, wetlands, and prairies offer an outdoor classroom rich in Leopold’s legacy.

International Crane Foundation

From the Field Webinar Series

The International Crane Foundation works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend. View our From the Field Webinar Series to learn about our global programs on the five continents where cranes are found. Check in regularly for upcoming webinars dates, or to view our library of past webinars.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Adult Walks, Workshops, and Classes

Engage your senses, discover hidden talents, learn a new technique, and explore a more personal relationship with plants and nature. From gardening practices to using nature as inspiration for the arts and do-it-yourself projects, Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers a broad range of classes and programs for all types of educators. Led by experts in their fields, our programs provide something for every interest and skill level. Join us for classes and workshops all year round at Olbrich Botanical Gardens and explore the wonder of plants, gardening, and the natural world.

Rooted

Wisconsin School Garden Network, Farm to School Program

The Wisconsin School Garden Network, a project of Rooted, offers free school garden trainings at schools, community centers, and non-profit sites around Wisconsin. Trainings provide information and inspiration to anyone interested in starting or sustaining a youth garden. For those interested in garden-based education, Teaching in Nature’s Classroom is offered online at no cost in spring and fall.

Email Erica Krug, erica@rootedwi.org, for more information and learn more about the Wisconsin School Garden Network here.

UW Arboretum

Public Walks, Classes, and Lectures

The Arboretum’s education programs offer year-round lifelong learning in ecological restoration, natural history, conservation, gardening, caring for the land, and living in harmony with nature. From nature hikes to classes to lecture series, there is something for everyone! Many of these programs are free; some have a fee. Check their online events page for upcoming opportunities.

Other Wisconsin & Online Courses

Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education

Annual Conference & Winter Workshop

The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education hosts an annual gathering each fall for formal and non-formal educators to learn from each other and experts in the field. Areas of focus, keynote addresses and venues vary each year. A winter workshop, typically held between January and March, promotes community and collegiality among environmental educators in the state. Check the website for details.

Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education

Forestry & Energy Education 

Professional Development offerings from both the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) and the Wisconsin’s K-12 Forestry Education Program (LEAF) can be found HERE.
Engage your students with relevant, place-based environmental education and increase sustainability efforts within your educational community.
One-day workshops, customized school-based trainings, and online courses are available. Substitute reimbursement stipends for in-person events are frequently available as well.

Wisconsin Master Naturalist

Education, Stewardship & Citizen Science

The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program supports a network of well-informed volunteers and instructors dedicated to conservation service, leadership, and lifelong learning. Master Naturalists are equipped to address environmental challenges facing the state through expert-led trainings covering natural history and conservation stewardship topics. Make a positive impact through stewardship, citizen science, and educational volunteer activities. Training opportunities happen throughout the year and are located across the state with partner organizations.

Green & Healthy Schools

Teacher and Leader Workshops

The Green & Healthy Schools program, supported by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Wisc. DNR and the Wisc. Center for Environmental Education often offers teacher workshops and training to support making your school green and healthy. Check in for updates or sign up to receive announcements. Check here for updates on the annual Green & Healthy Schools summit in your area.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association

MREA Courses

MREA is a national leader in providing high quality education and training programs for consumers, businesses, and renewable energy system installers. MREA offers workshops that cover a variety of topics in renewable energy such as Photovoltaics, Residential Wind Systems, Solar Domestic Hot Water/Solar Thermal Systems and Renewable Energy Business.

Check out the MREA events for information about the Annual Energy Fair held in June!

UW Milwaukee Field Station

Field Station Natural History Workshops

The Field Station regularly offers programs for adults (available for college credit) that include topics such as Vegetation of Wisconsin, Wildlife Monitoring, Geology, Plant Identification, Invasive Species Management, and Restoration. Hands-on field and laboratory investigations are hosted by noted authorities.