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- "Wildfire, Wildlife, and Warriors: Science Where You Least Expect It” with Michele Richards, Natural Resources and Wildland Fire Program Manager with the MI Army National Guard
- 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- “Nature’s Detectives: How Insects Help Solve Crimes Against People, Animals, and the Environment Through Forensic Entomology” with Dr. Samantha Sawyer, Forensic Entomologist at the University of New Haven
- February 10, 2026- Carly DeVet, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- March 10, 2026- Zach Wilson, Forest Ecologist, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission
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.
|
|
View previous 4-H Wild Spartan sessions
-
Wild Spartans: Conservation and Management of Tribal Natural Resources with Doug Craven; May 2021
Published on May 11, 2021
In this episode, we will soar the skies and jump into the waters to discover how one Michigan tribe is preserving our natural world. We will talk to a scientist about researching and protecting species with cultural significance. Meet Doug Craven, Director of the Natural Resources Department of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, learn about his field work and hear about the education and career path he followed to get there.
-
Wild Spartans: Researching Wildfire in Boreal and Arctic Regions with Dr. Laura Bourgeau-Chavez
Published on April 13, 2021
In this episode, we will delve into the cutting edge world of wildfire research to discover the role technology plays in studying the impacts to the flora and fauna of boreal and arctic regions. We will talk to a wildfire scientist about researching the behavior and impacts of wildfire in remote areas of the world using satellite imagery, including high resolution optical and radar imagery, and other cutting edge technology. Meet Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Senior Research Scientist/ Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University: Michigan Tech Research Institute, learn about her field work, how she uses drones and radar technology to map and study wildfire effects, and hear about the education and career path she followed to get there.
-
Wild Spartans: Searching for Vernal Pools with Yu Man Lee
Published on March 9, 2021
In this episode, we will take a dive into the springtime ephemeral pools in the woods to discover the treasures within! We will talk to a herpetologist about researching and conserving amphibians and reptiles. Meet Yu Man Lee, Conservation Scientist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there.
Print
Email