Tag: continuing education

Winter Identification and Management of Woody Species

January 14 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Winter Identification and Management of Woody Species

Learn how to identify, manage and monitor trees and shrubs during the dormant season with Riveredge restoration ecologists. The first half of the morning will be spent indoors reviewing a large collection of freshly cut live specimens by fruit, bud, twig, branch, bark, and trunk. Following lunch we will take the course outside to review management and identify populations by setting and habitat.

Please dress for the weather and please bring a lunch.

Ages 15+
Member: $65 | Non-member: $75
Currently enrolled students: $35

Pre-registration required by January 13 at 11:59 pm.

Register Here

*MEMBERS: Please login (for the member price) by following these instructions.

Members:

Follow the instructions using the button below to login to your member account for member discounts on programs and events. You can use this login to check your membership status, see your expiration date, and renew your membership as well.

If you don’t see the member price after logging in, need help checking your membership status, or you are unsure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at rbuchholz@riveredge.us or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.

To become a member, click here

How to Register as a Member
Cancellation Policies

January 14 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Discussion on Impacts of Land Conservation Funding in Wisconsin

November 5 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Discussion on Impacts of Land Conservation Funding in Wisconsin

Charlie Carlin from Gathering Waters and Tom Stolp from Restoring Lands (formerly Ozaukee Washington Land Trust) will join Director John Rakowski in a discussion on land conservation funding efforts in Wisconsin with a focus on the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The program has recently been the focus of public discussion, as its funding is currently set to expire in 2026, though lawmakers could still opt to reauthorize it. Since 1989, Knowles-Nelson funds have helped support thousands of public projects throughout the state including land purchases, trail building, boat launches, and playgrounds. It also has been an important tool for Riveredge’s growth and conservation efforts. Gathering Waters will share more information on Knowles-Nelson’s history, its statewide impact, and the current status of funding. Restoring Lands will share more information on local impacts and their work. The speakers will focus on facts, increasing understanding, and keeping the public informed. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and learn how to get involved in local land conservation programs.

All ages are welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult 18+.
This program is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated!
Pre-registration is not required, but highly recommended as space is limited and this program may fill quickly.

Register Here


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    Donations appreciated

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November 5, 2025 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Discussion on the Environmental Impact of Data Centers in Wisconsin – REGISTRATION FULL!

October 15 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Discussion on the Environmental Impact of Data Centers in Wisconsin

NOTE: REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW AT FULL CAPACITY. We appreciate your interest, and look forward to the conversation! We are grateful for your understanding that we have to limit registrations in order to staff a high quality experience for our attendees. Watch our calendar for additional community conversations based on public interest!

Please also note that academic research and other public information from the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences Center for Water Policy is available to all here: https://uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy/

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Experts from Midwest Environmental Advocates and the Center for Water Policy at UW-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences will join Director John Rakowski in a discussion about the environmental impacts of data centers.  The Center for Water Policy will share their research on data center water consumption, electricity use, and public project transparency on a national level. Midwest Environmental Advocates will review water and transmission line information about the recently approved Port Washington data center. The speakers will focus on facts, the need for transparency, and keeping the public informed. This panel will help us all learn more about the environmental impacts of proposed data centers in Wisconsin. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and learn how to get involved in community feedback regarding data center projects.


  • Registration

    Registration is already at full capacity.


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    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

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October 15, 2025 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Science Thursday Lecture Series: Uncovering the Story of the Ice Age Trail – FREE

November 13 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Science Thursday Lecture Series: Uncovering the Story of the Ice Age Trail at Riveredge & on Zoom

Hiker and trail builder, Laurie Prestby, will share the geological and natural history of the Ice Age Trail. It’s a national scenic trail placing it on par with the Appalachian trail, but unlike the Applachian Trail, it’s completely found within a single state. The Ice Age Trail is known for its impressive glacial landforms and scenic landscapes. It’s a unique and remarkable feature of Wisconsin.

This program is offered in-person at Riveredge and virtually on Zoom. If joining in person, meet at Riveredge in the barn. Zoom link is found below!
Science Thursday Lecture Series are always free! | Designed for ages 18+
Pre-registration is not required, but highly recommended for the In-Person option. No registration necessary for those joining on Zoom.

Register Here to Attend at Riveredge  Join the Virtual Program

November 13, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Butterfly and Dragonfly Count

June 28 @ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Butterfly and Dragonfly Count

Contribute to 30+ years of research on the abundance of butterflies and dragonflies at Riveredge by helping with these counts! You will have the opportunity to to shadow and learn to identify important indicator species in the field alongside conservation professionals. Participate for all or part of the day. Wear walking shoes and pack a bag lunch if you’re staying for the day.

8:30 am – 9:30 am – Review
9:30 am – 3:00 pm – Count in the Field

Ages 18+
This event is free for everyone!
Pre-registration is not required, but highly recommended so you can be notified of any changes due to weather.

Register Here

June 28, 2025 @ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

SAWW Level 1 Chainsaw Training

August 20 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

SAWW Level 1 Chainsaw Training

Join SAWW (Safety and Woods Worker) trainer Luke Saunders (Forester with Blue Heron Stewardship LLC) for a hands-on training in chainsaw use, maintenance, and technique. Spend time both outside and in the classroom, practicing how to operate chainsaws safely, comfortably, and productively.

This class is part one of a four level series through the Safety and Woods Working training program (SAWW). Topics include: personal protective equipment (PPE); body mechanics; chainsaw safety features; the chain and the cutter tooth; reactive forces; planning and executing tree felling, limbing, and bucking; introductory bore cutting and open-face felling. Hands-on training gives participants the opportunity to fell at least one tree. Participants are encouraged to bring your own equipment and lunch. Helmets are mandatory.

Ages 18+ | Member: $200 | Non-member Adult: $210
Pre-registration is required by August 18 at 11:55 pm.

Register Here

*MEMBERS: Riveredge has a new registration system. Please login (for the member discount) by following these instructions.


  • Registration

    Ages 18+
    Member: $200
    Non-member: $210

    Register Here


  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now


  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

Members:

Follow the instructions using the button below to login to your member account for member discounts on programs and events. You can use this login to check your membership status, see your expiration date, and renew your membership as well.

If you don’t see the member price after logging in, need help checking your membership status, or you are unsure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at rbuchholz@riveredge.us or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.

To become a member, click here

How to Register as a Member
Cancellation Policies

August 20, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Summer Plant ID and Management

July 18 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm & 4:15 pm – 7:15 pm

Summer Plant ID and Management Daytime and Evening Options

Get to know native and non native plant species in their natural settings and leave with a good understanding of how to and how not to manage them. In this short half day course students will tour Riveredge’s high quality and low quality habitats alongside Matt Smith. Matt serves Riveredge as the Director of Research and Conservation. He has over 22 years of experience as a restoration ecologist and is the primary manager for this project responsible for monitoring, project implementation and reporting. He has worked throughout the great lakes region as both a technician, project manager, and consultant on projects small and large scale covering a wide range of disturbance and habitat type. These classes are rain or shine, please dress accordingly.

Choose the class time that works best for you: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm or 4:15 pm – 7:15 pm.

Ages 14+ | Member: $30 | Non-member: $35
Pre-registration is not required, but highly recommended.

Register Here

*MEMBERS: Riveredge has a new registration system. Please login (for the member discount) by following these instructions.

Members:

Follow the instructions using the button below to login to your member account for member discounts on programs and events. You can use this login to check your membership status, see your expiration date, and renew your membership as well.

If you don’t see the member price after logging in, need help checking your membership status, or you are unsure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at rbuchholz@riveredge.us or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.

To become a member, click here

How to Register as a Member
Cancellation Policies

July 18, 2025 @ 12:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Willow ID with Zach Kron

June 6 @ 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Willow ID with Zach Kron

Expand your restoration skillsets by getting past the genus Salix to further your understanding of willow species identification and their habitat needs. Follow Zach Kron and Matt Smith into off-trail areas of Riveredge’s uncommon habitats to find willow populations, identify species and discuss management. We will start our day in the lab to review herbarium specimens and end it in the field.

Dress for all forecasted weather, bring your knee-high boots, and pack a lunch!

Ages 18+ | Member: $45 | Non-member: $55
Pre-register by June 4 at 11:55 pm.

Register Here

*MEMBERS: Riveredge has a new registration system. Please login (for the member discount) by following these instructions.

Members:

Follow the instructions using the button below to login to your member account for member discounts on programs and events. You can use this login to check your membership status, see your expiration date, and renew your membership as well.

If you don’t see the member price after logging in, need help checking your membership status, or you are unsure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at rbuchholz@riveredge.us or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.

To become a member, click here

How to Register as a Member
Cancellation Policies

June 6, 2025 @ 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Riveredge Bioblitz

July 12 @ 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Riveredge Bioblitz

Riveredge welcomes all to our first annual Bioblitz at the new Riveredge Sandhill Property! (Sandhill is located @  4630 St.Finbars Road, Saukville, WI 53080  – park on the East side of St. Finbars Road.)

The Bioblitz is a free event where participants actively contribute to the historic monitoring and inventory of plants, birds, insects, fish and more within a fixed acreage of land and water. We’ll use photo documentation and data collection with the easy-to-use iNaturalist app. (If you’re new to iNaturalist, we’ll show you how to use it.) See below for a guide to the day–come for all or just drop in for your favorite activity.

GUIDE TO THE DAY

Anytime 8:00 am – 3:00 pm | Registration and App Orientation (Downloading iNaturalist on your phone is the first step to contributing to this citizen science community effort. We will be on-hand to give you a short tutorial to the app if you haven’t used it before! If you would like your observations to count towards this BioBlitz, you will join the Riveredge Bioblitz through the iNaturalist application on your smart device.) Our Registration and App Orientation Table will be located on the trailhead into Sandhill and open from 8:00am to 3:00pm.

Anytime 8:00 am – 3:00 pm | Bioblitz! (Once registered, simply use the app to help you identify and record everything from grass, flowers, insects, trees, birds and mammals!  Your contributions will be added to our total species list, help to inform management, and track change over time. 

8:00 am – 12:00 pm | Songbird Capture and Banding Research Observation (Mist-nets and a banding table will be set up with an ability to approach and engage researchers recording data and banding wild songbirds. The Riveredge Research Manager Jana Gedymin will lead this effort.  Jana is a Master Bander certified through the Institute for Bird Populations)

9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm | Tour Woody Plant Identification and Community Orchard Demonstration Area (Matt Smith, research and conservation director, will lead groups on a tour of wild native woody plants and the native agroforestry plantings Riveredge has established with the Savanna Institute and Great Lakes Protection Fund.  Matt has been a restoration ecologist for the last 24 years and is well-versed in teaching native species identification and ecology.  Tours will be 30 minutes long and run on the hour at 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm

8:30am, 9:30am, 11:30 am, 1:30pm | Tour Birding by Sight and Song (Nathaniel Reinartz, conservation manager, will lead groups on an educational hike to discover the area’s songbirds by sight and song.  Nathaniel is a professional atlaser and bioacoustic technician that annually monitors birds in their habitats, conducts Wisconsin breeding bird atlas field surveys, and speciates birds through audio recordings and spectrograph analysis.  Nathaniel also leads the Friday morning bird walks at Riveredge.  If you don’t have binoculars we have enough to lend for the tour 🙂  Tours will be 45 minutes long and run at: 8:30am, 9:30am, 11:30 am, 1:30pm  

8:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Interactive Youth Activity Table (Riveredge Environmental Educators will host fun nature-based activities t<hroughout the day in the shade)

 

All ages welcome | Children must be accompanied by an adult
This event is free for everyone!
Pre-registration is not required, but highly recommended so you can be notified of any changes due to weather.

Register Here

View or print the instructions for the iNaturalist app ahead of time by clicking the green button below!

Instruction Sheet for Getting Started with iNaturalist

July 12, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM November 15, 2025

Student Research Symposium 2025

Saturday, November 15 2025 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Accepting abstracts for poster and oral presentations through October 24!

We are excited to showcase new academic talent! Uncover insights into the natural world and support the next generation of scholars by attending the Student Research Symposium on November 15th. Undergraduate and graduate students from colleges and universities in our region will present their research with posters and oral presentations. The day includes a keynote from a distinguished speaker and a catered lunch. Come for all or part of the day.

There will be cash prizes up to $300 awarded for the best oral and poster presentations. Plus, all student presenters will receive a FREE Riveredge Membership just for participating!

Student Presenter: Free! Abstracts submission deadline extended to October 24th.
Current Student Non-presenter: Free
Supporter by November 10: $5
Supporter after November 10: $7
Children under 12: Free (must be accompanied by an adult)
All registrations include a catered lunch! Please indicate dietary restrictions/allergies on the registration form.

Student Presenters – Submit Your Abstract Here by Oct 24th
Supporters & Presenters – Register Here
High School Groups – Register Here
a college student giving a presentation in a Riveredge classroom

Call for Student Presenters!

How to submit your abstract:

We invite college students to submit an abstract of a current or recent year’s research project to present in oral or poster form at our Student Research Symposium. Submissions are welcome in the categories of biology, environmental science, chemistry, geology, and other sciences. The abstract submission deadline has been extended to October 24th! There will be cash prizes up to $300 awarded for the best oral and poster presentations. Plus, all presenters will receive a FREE Riveredge Membership just for participating!

Submit Your Abstract Here by Oct 24
Register Here After Submitting Your Abstract

Please see below for important presentation information.

Presentation Information for Student Presenters

Poster Presentation

  • Posters should be a maximum size of 44″ X 36″
  • We will have a tripod easel and poster board set up for you. Posters will be attached to the display boards using binder clips that will be provided.
  • Poster set-up will be 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 15th, 2025 (the morning of the event).
  • Alternativity, students are welcome to drop off their posters to Riveredge Nature Center weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. before November, 15th.
  • Presenters should be available to discuss their posters at the event during the poster session (time TBD)


Oral Presentation

  • Presentations are scheduled for a 15 minute block (10-12 minute presentation with an additional 3-5 minutes for a question-and-answer period).
  • Sessions will be moderated and the time limit enforced.
  • Computers attached to digital projectors will be equipped with USB ports for flash drives. It is best to have multiple copies of your presentation saved in the cloud and on physical media. All rooms will be equipped with a computer, projector, and screen.
  • If additional equipment, including audio, is needed, please indicate this when you submit your abstract.


Keynote Speaker

Marissa Jablonski, PhD
Executive Director, Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

Dr. Marissa Jablonski is the executive director of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. She is an accomplished water engineer, environmental advisor, and plastics-reduction expert who has worked in more than 45 countries on Earth. Her way of understanding and engaging in complex interactions between human beings and environmental systems, combined with her skills in storytelling and systems processes, make her a much sought after consultant and public speaker.

Marissa lives her life as part of a global community. She is a founding member and mentor to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student chapter of Engineers Without Borders, and advises on the design and implementation of projects in Guatemala. She also serves as International Coordinator of a Guatemalan-led NGO that builds infrastructure with indigenous communities’ to meet the needs of five groups involved in each project.

Marissa Jablonski headshot

After earning a PhD in Environmental Engineering and serving as an instructor of Peacebuilding, Engineering, and Physics at numerous institutions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin she moved to Washington, DC to work in policy. During her time as a 2017-19 AAAS Science Technology and Policy Fellow at USAID, she was both a Public Diplomacy Fellow in the Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad and also an Environmental Advisor to the Office of Food For Peace. During this time, she was also asked by the US Embassy of Thailand and the Phuket Hotels Association to serve as an Embassy Science Fellow to design and lead a 5-point model to help reduce their single-use plastics by more than 6 million in 2018.

Marissa is an advocate for minorities and women in STEM fields and served as coordinator of NSF’s FORTE program during 2009-2015. During that time, she also designed an internationally recognized project that engaged with informal dye industries in rural India to affordably clean their wastewater. Marissa’s innovative outlook on research, business, and life has won her many awards and praise from groups that include the National Science Foundation, Philanthropic Education Organization, Mondialogo, and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

Proudly sponsored by

UWM School of Freshwater Sciences Logo

Dennis Miller

North Shore Academy of Gymnastics

Southeastern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited

questions?

We’re happy to help! Give Riveredge’s Research Manager, Jana Gedymin, a call at 262-375-2715 or email her at jgedymin@riveredge.us.

Email Jana
a college student with a white cane smiles at the camera while standing next to their research poster
3 Riveredge staff stand with 8 students holding certificates and smiling at the camera
a college students showing a guest their research poster in the Riveredge Visitor Center

November 15, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 County Hwy Y
Saukville, WI United States + Google Map
(262) 375-2715

Become a Member

Take advantage of all the benefits of a Riveredge membership year round!

Learn More