Wild Spartans Series

4-H Wild Spartans Series

Wild_Spartans_January_2021 (003) — In January, we take to the skies to talk to an ornithologist about the raptors that inspire us! Join us on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 at 7pm EST for “Raptor Conservation and Management: Working with Birds of Prey in Cities and Wildlands”. We will talk about researching, protecting, and conserving raptors that soar our skies. You will meet EDM wildlife biologist, Libby Mojica, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there.

Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! Follow along as we climb through bogs, peer into bear dens, mist net songbirds, snorkel for fish, or perhaps even tag deer. Meet researchers, learn about their field work, and the education and career path they've followed to get there.

Monthly sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm EST through May 2021.

Each 30 minute session will feature 1-2 guest researchers. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A with scientists.

This free series is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19 years.

Upcoming Program Dates and Topics:

Jan. 12, 2021: “Raptor Conservation and Management: Working with Birds of Prey in Cities and Wildlands,” Libby Mojica, Wildlife Biologist, Eagle Electrocution Solutions and Raptor Research Foundation
Feb. 9, 2021: "All About Honey Bees: Working with a Superorganism,” Ana Heck, MSU Apicultural Educator
Mar. 9, 2021: “Searching for Vernal Pools, Nature’s Disappearing Act,” Yu Man Lee, Conservation Scientist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Apr. 13, 2021: “Researching Wildfire in Boreal and Arctic Regions,” Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Senior Research Scientist/ Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University: Michigan Tech Research Institute
May 11, 2021: Topic TBA

LOCATION: Online Meeting will be held using the free app called Zoom. Link/password for the meeting will be emailed about a week prior to each presentation.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: This is an ongoing program that will continue through May 2021. Register once and receive monthly emails directly related to this program for the duration of the event, through May 2021. Register at https://events.anr.msu.edu/wild_spartans/

To learn more, contact:
Veronica Bolhuis, Anne Kretschmann, Seth Martin, Laura Quist, or Dr. Alexa Warwick

Wild Spartans: Recordings and resources for continued learning

Protecting Michigan's Bats
John DePue, Michigan DNR

Recording: October 2020
Bat-themed games and activities
Bat Week resources

In this episode, we meet Michigan DNR biologist, John DePue, learn about his field work, and the education and career path as he shares his work "Protecting Michigan's Bats."

Science in Zookeeping & Conservation
Caitlin Mack, MSU graduate researcher

Recording: November 2020
Animal Ethograms, Denver Zoo
Animal Behavior Observation, Woodland Park Zoo
African Wild Dog facts
In this episode, we will head to the sub-Sahara to learn about African painted (wild) dogs. You will meet MSU graduate researcher, Caitlin Mack, learn about her work on the social behavior and conservation of these rare carnivores, and the education and career path she followed as she discusses “Science in Zookeeping and Conservation.”

Invasive Species and I: A Scientist’s Tale of Working with Wildlife from Elsewhere
Taylor Haas, MSU Researcher

Recording: December 2020
Lamprey Information
Lamprey Board Game, MI Sea Grant
In this episode, we will go upstream to learn about sea lamprey, an oceanic species invading the Great Lakes. We will talk about researching the colder, wetter side of life. You will meet MSU graduate researcher, Taylor Haas, learn about his field work, and the education and career path he followed to get there in his presentation, “Invasive Species and I: A Scientist’s Tale of Working with Wildlife from Elsewhere”.

Raptor Conservation and Management: Working with Birds of Prey in Cities and Wildlands
Libby Mojica, EDM Wildlife biologist

January 12, 2021 recording
Hawk Mountain Activities for Youth
Raptors! 3 Audubon Activities
This month we take to the skies to talk to an ornithologist about the raptors that inspire us! We will talk about researching, protecting, and conserving raptors that soar our skies. Meet EDM wildlife biologist, Libby Mojica, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there as she discusses “Raptor Conservation and Management: Working with Birds of Prey in Cities and Wildlands.”

MSU Extension 4-H Environmental & Outdoor Education