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: Leaping Leopards, Lizards, and Bears… Oh My! With Dr. Kerry Nicholson; February 2022

Published on February 8, 2022

oin us on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 at 6:30pm EST for “Leaping Leopards, Lizards, and Bears… Oh My!” We will talk to a scientist about researching and managing species worldwide. You will meet Dr. Kerry Nicholson, Furbearer Biologist III with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Wild Spartans: Butterflies, Bivalves, Birds, and Beyond! With Ashley Cole-Wick; January 2022

Published on January 11, 2022

Join us on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at 6:30pm EST for “Butterflies, Bivalves, Birds, and Beyond!” We will talk to a scientist about researching and protecting species worldwide. You will meet Ashley Cole-Wick, Conservation Associate- Zoology with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
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.