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.
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View previous 4-H Wild Spartan sessions
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Wild Spartans: From the Desert to the Deep-Sea, With Brendan Talwar; October 2024
Published on October 11, 2024
You will meet Brendan Talwar, Postdoctoral Scholar at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, learn about his field work, and the education and career path he followed to get there.
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Wild Spartans: Nurturing & Inspiring a Love of the Northwoods, with Licia Johnson; March 2024
Published on March 12, 2024
You will meet Naturalist and Education Director for the North Lakeland Discovery Center, Licia Johnson, learn about her career path and work inspiring others. You'll also meet a few special guests!
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Wild Spartans: Seeing The Forest For The Wildlife, With Jeremiah Heise; February 2024
Published on February 13, 2024
You will meet Jeremiah Heise, Ecosystem Program Manager with the U.S. Forest Service, learn about his field work, and the education and career path he followed to get there.
