Wild Spartans Series

Join 4-H staff for the "Wild Spartans" series for 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.

LOCATION: Online Meeting will be held using the free app called Zoom.

Register for Wild Spartans here

Each 60 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.

Upcoming Program Dates and Topics:

Monthly Sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. ET October through March.

October 14, 2025- “Helping Others Help Nature” with Trish Brockman, Ecologist with Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc
November 11, 2025- coming soon
December 9, 2025- “Adventures in Wildlife Medicine: From the Field to the Clinic” with Avery Tilley, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia
January 13, 2026- Dr. Sam Sawyer, Forensic Entomologist at the University of New Haven
February 10, 2026- Carly DeVet, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
March 10, 2026- coming soon

Interested in being a Wild Spartans guest speaker? Fill out our interest form here!

All event recordings are now available below!

Attended or viewed recordings? Please fill out our brief feedback form.

To learn more, contact:
Veronica Bolhuis, Stacie Gath, Anne Kretschmann, or Dr. Alexa Warwick.

Share past sessions in classrooms, home school group, or your 4-H club! Links below include resources for continued learning in science, research, and career preparation. Meet these scientists and more in the videos below.

View previous 4-H Wild Spartan sessions

Wild Spartans: The Urban Wildlife Institute, Learning About Animals In The City, with Seth Magle; March 2025

Published on March 25, 2025

You will meet Dr. Seth Magle with the Urban Wildlife Institute and Lincoln Park Zoo. You’ll learn about his work, and the education and career path he followed to get there.
Wild Spartans: The Relationship Between Tribes and Fish, With Jason Smith; February 2025

Published on February 25, 2025

You will meet Jason Smith, fisheries biologist with the Bay Mills Indian Community. You’ll learn about his work, and the education and career path he followed to get there.
Wild Spartans: Flying to New Heights, Swimming to New Depths: Working my Dream Job with Michigan Sea Grant, With Elliot Nelson; January 2025

Published on January 28, 2025

You will meet Elliot Nelson with the Michigan Sea Grant Program. You’ll learn about his work, and the education and career path he followed to get there.