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 8, 2024- with Brendan Talwar
- This month’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will dive into the depths of the ocean to explore the world of sharks and marine science! Join us on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 6:30pm EST for “From the Desert to the Deep-Sea: Supporting Wildlife and People Through Science, Education, and Outreach.” You will meet Brendan Talwar, Postdoctoral Scholar at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego & The Nature Conservancy.
November 12, 2024 with Andrea Martinson
- This month’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will fly into the refuges that many migrating birds depend on for migration. Join us on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 at 6:30pm EST for “Behind the Scenes in the Life of a Park Ranger.” You will meet Andrea Martinson, Park Ranger for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
December 10, 2024- 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: Casting for a Career in Coldwater Conservation, with Jamie Vaughan; December 2023

Published on December 12, 2023

This month’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will take a dive into the Great Lakes and rivers to explore their coldwater residents.
Wild Spartans: Froggin' Around - Careers in the Exotic Animal Industry with Zach Brinks; November 2023

Published on November 13, 2023

“Froggin' around - careers in the exotic animal industry.” You will meet Zach Brinks, Vice President of Live Operations at Josh’s Frogs. You’ll learn about his work, and the education and career path he followed to get there. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A. This free series is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19 years.
Wild Spartans: Black River Lake Sturgeon Facility: Management of a Threatened Species with Doug Larson; April 2023

Published on April 11, 2023

“Black River Lake Sturgeon Facility: Management of a Threatened Species”. You will meet Doug Larson, Research Assistant, Black River Sturgeon Facility. You will learn about his field work, and the education and career path he followed to get there.