Wild Spartans Series

 

WildSpartans_NoLinkWebsite_Banner20232024.pngJoin 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. 

  • January 14, 2025 with Elliot Nelson
    • This month's 4-H Wild Spartans will delve into the freshwaters and skies that surround us. Join us for “Flying to New Heights, Swimming to New Depths: Working my Dream Job with Michigan Sea Grant.” You will meet Elliot Nelson with Michigan Sea Grant.  
  • February 11, 2025 with Jason Smith
    • This month's 4-H Wild Spartans Series will plunge into the world of Great Lakes fisheries. Join us for  for “The Relationship Between Tribes and Fish.” You will meet Jason Smith, Great Lakes Fisheries Assessment Biologist for the Bay Mills Indian Community.
  • March 11, 2025- with Seth Magle
    • This month's 4-H Wild Spartans Series will explore conservation efforts in zoos with Seth Magle, Director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL.
  • October 14, 2025- coming soon
  • November 11, 2025- coming soon
  • December 9, 2025- coming soon
  • January 13, 2026- coming soon
  • February 10, 2026- coming soon
  • 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.

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

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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: 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.

  • Wild Spartans: Upland Bird Conservation with Marissa Jensen; March 2023

    Published on March 14, 2023

     “Upland Bird Conservation.” You will meet Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Education and Outreach Manager, Marissa Jensen, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there. This scientist will take us to the grasslands and prairies of the Midwest.

  • Wild Spartans: Working Toward a Career as a Wildlife Biologist with Erin Johnston; January 2023

    Published on January 10, 2023

    “Working Towards A Career As A Wildlife Biologist” You will meet Erin Johnston, Wildlife Biologist- Wildlife & Habitat Section Lead, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Natural Resources Department. We will talk to a biologist about researching, managing, and protecting species with cultural significance. You will learn about her field work, and the education and career path she 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. Monthly sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm EST.