Minnesota Master Naturalist

Course Registration

BWBR - Big Woods Big Rivers in Southeast MN, Olmsted County Parks, Rochester

Big Woods Big Rivers in Southeast MN, Olmsted County Parks, Rochester website

8378 Highway 14 East
Eyota, MN 55934

Minnesota proudly carries the title “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” yet our own corner of the state—Southeast Minnesota—stands out for what it doesn’t have: natural lakes. Why does this landscape break the pattern? What forces shaped this region, and what makes life here unique and interesting?

Join us for Big Woods, Big Rivers, an immersive exploration of the geology, geography, and ecology that make Southeast Minnesota unlike anywhere else in the state. From the rugged bluffs to the sinkholes, springs, and disappearing streams that carve ancient limestone, you’ll discover how the "Driftless Area" was formed—and why it looks so dramatically different from the glaciated regions to the north and west.

We’ll also examine the incredible resilience and adaptations of the region’s flora and fauna. You’ll learn how plants and animals flourish in this karst-dominated environment, creating one of Minnesota’s richest and most diverse natural communities.

The course blends engaging in class sessions with two instructor-led field trips that bring our lessons to life in the landscapes themselves. Full participation in all meetings, along with the completion of a small group capstone service project, is required for graduation.

This class is hosted by Olmsted County Parks and sponsored by both Friends of Chester Woods Park and Friends of Oxbow Park and will be conducted at both parks on alternating nights. Tuesday evenings will be at Oxbow park and Thursday evenings will be at Chester Woods Park.

If you are having trouble registering, please use the information below. We also have help videos you can watch.

For Registration questions contact Extension Registration, ext-reg@umn.edu
For Username or Password help contact UMN Help Desk, HELP@umn.edu, 612-301-4357.

Help Videos:
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The course cost is $295 and includes course manuals and supplies.

If the course cost is a hardship, please fill out the scholarship application. After the scholarship is fully processed, you will receive a code to be entered in the on-line registration process. Please wait until you receive that code to complete registration.

Course Dates:

Meeting from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. on:

Instructor Information

Sharon Columbus

Sponsor Information

Friends of Chester Woods

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