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.

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.

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: Uncovering the Evolutionary Secrets of Pollination With Robin Waterman; May 2022

Published on May 10, 2022

Wild Spartans May 2022
Wild Spartans: Great Lakes Fisheries Investigations With Brad Utrup; April 2022

Published on April 12, 2022

This month’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will head out onto the Great Lakes to learn about fish of all sizes- from tiny venomous catfish to massive lake sturgeon. Join us on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 at 6:30pm EST for ”Great Lakes Fisheries Investigations.”
Wild Spartans: Protecting Natural Resources and People with Sydney Collins; March 2022

Published on March 8, 2022

You will meet Sidney Collins, Conservation Officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. We will talk about protecting our natural resources by enforcing laws and regulations. You will learn about her field work and hear about the education and career path she followed to get there.