Brainerd Lakes Area MN Master Naturalists

08/21/2026

You really should check out our "Ask a MN Master Naturalist" website page by our own Paul Jacobsen, THANKS Paul for these informative "Questions!"

Do you have questions on nature? You've come to the right place! Our very own Brainerd MN Nat - Paul S. Jacobsen, has been writing "Ask a MN Master Naturalist" for the local newspaper; The Brainerd Dispatch. Until now, you needed to subscribe to read these thoughtful topics. Paul is providing

08/13/2026

https://myradar.com/videos/6697

The Perseid meteor shower is putting on a spectacular show TONIGHT, with peak viewing arriving August 12–13. Expect 50–75+ meteors per hour under dark skies. Senior meteorologist Matthew Cappucci explains when your best viewing will be.

08/03/2026

Do you love the MN Nats Program AND Phenology? LeAnn and Ron will be on the KAXE Phenology Show tomorrow at 8:40 discussing what the MN Nats program means to us. Tune in on their website here:

People-powered radio in Northern Minnesota.

07/28/2026

You have questions, our very own BLAMNAT - Paul Jacobson has the answers!

Check out Paul's very informative Q&A's on our BLAMNATS webpage. Check back often as more are added,

THANKS PAUL!!

Do you have questions on nature? You've come to the right place! Our very own Brainerd MN Nat - Paul S. Jacobsen, has been writing "Ask a MN Master Naturalist" for the local newspaper; The Brainerd Dispatch. Until now, you needed to subscribe to read these thoughtful topics. Paul is providing

06/26/2026

An impromptu Trail Work Session! 8 years ago our MN Nats class was introduced to Robert Morgan and his beautiful project, The St Mathias Parks Heritage Walking Trail. For us Nature Nerds and others, this is a true Gem for the BLA. We’re thankful for his work, then and every time we’re on the trail. Glad to help out today, clearing face+slappers and widening the trail.

06/22/2026

Minnesota Master Naturalist

Course Registration
NWGL - North Woods Great Lakes, Brainerd
Northland Arboretum website

14520 Conservation Drive
Baxter, MN 52425
Northland Arboretum and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter of Master Naturalists are joining together to offer the North Woods, Great Lakes biome course as an introduction to the natural history of Minnesota’s most northeastern biome.

This 40-hour hybrid course will offer online and classroom presentations, outdoor activities and field trips provide opportunities for participants to explore and learn about the plant communities, wildlife, geology, and aquatic systems typical of this biome.

This course will take place August 12 - Sept 23 on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Two full-day field trips include
(1) August 22nd a trip aboard the National Loon Center's Stewardship with education about our state bird, current loon research and the center’s program offerings.
(2) A full extended day field trip to Lake Superior on September 19 will include an education tour aboard the Sadie Ann through the Lake Superior Research Institute (weather permitting), a visit to Hawk Ridge to observe the fall bird migration and other natural history attractions of the Duluth area.

Attendance at all sessions including the field trips is required. All participants will contribute to a small group capstone service project to be described in class.

Need help registering?
Please refer to the contact information and tutorial videos below.

Registration questions: Contact Extension Registration, [email protected]

Username or Password Help: Contact UMN Help Desk, [email protected], 612-301-4357.
Help Videos:
Help with Online Payment Registration.
NOTE: The canvas link they are referring to is only for online classes, not "in person" classes.
Help with Online Payment Password Reset
The course cost is $295 and includes course manuals and supplies.

If the course cost is a hardship, please fill out the scholarship application. After the scholarship is fully processed, you will receive a code to be entered in the on-line registration process. Please wait until you receive that code to complete registration.

Course Dates:

Meeting from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on:

Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Instructor Information

Eleanor Burkett

Eleanor (Ellie) Burkett - lifelong learner, retired UM Extension educator in water resources. Eleanor enjoys gardening for pollinators, backyard bird watching, biking, kayaking, hiking and hanging out with her Master Naturalist peeps!

Richard Meyer

I love learning about nature. My background is in Earth science education and technology. I became a Master Naturalist in 2011 and took the instructor training in 2017. You can learn more about my interests at my blog/website - Meyer.FYI

Sponsor Information

Northland Arboretum

Register Now!

Seats Taken: 2 of 22

Log in to register!

University of Minnesota Extension Minnesota Master Naturalist

05/31/2026

Thanks fellow MN Nat!

🗣️Calling all loon lovers, we need your help researching loons! 🗣️

The Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program (MLMP) needs more volunteers for this summer, especially at lakes in the following counties: Otter Tail, Kandiyohi, Becker, Cook and Lake .

If you live in one of these counties or visit them frequently, please consider volunteering.

This is a low commitment volunteer project that's great for groups and appropriate for all ages. Join us and contribute to a project with over 30 years of continuous loon research!

Visit our website to sign up: mndnr.gov/eco/nongame/projects/mlmp_state.html.

05/26/2026

How many have you heard this week?

Frog calls and photos of frogs common to northern Minnesota. Learn ...

05/17/2026

I was today years-old when I learned about Rolly-pollies and how they’re like kangaroos!

Thanks to Charlie from KAXE’s weekly phenology email.
KAXE ROCKS!

Roly polies aren’t insects — they’re crustaceans, and they have more in common with kangaroos than you might think. These land-dwelling isopods carry their e...

05/03/2026

Next BRAINERD LAKES AREA MASTER NATURALIST CHAPTER MEETING !!

DATE: Monday May 4, 2026
TIME 5:30 pm business meeting
6:00 pm Program
PROGRAM: Dragonflies - presented by Jeff Fischer, president of the MN Dragonfly Society.
LOCATION: Northland Arboretum, 14250 Conservation Drive, Baxter MN 56425

ASSOCIATED WEBSITES:
MN Dragonfly Society: mndragonfly.org
Jeff's website: mndragonfly.info This website includes some great dragonfly photos, plus a Dichotomous Key for identification.

NOT ABLE TO JOIN IN PERSON? Use the zoom link below to join us virtually for our 6:00 pm Dragonfly program:
https://umn.zoom.us/j/94104281900?pwd=vgrEMtsiQRdBbh79KESH33saqP4Vbe.1

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.