The impact that naturalist practices can have on students

Abstract

This project was investigating what impact a new framework of learning has on graduate students at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota. The framework being investigated was the Wolf Ridge naturalist practices which consists of different routines to use while exploring the natural world. These four practices include slowing down, noticing surroundings, gathering data, and sharing with others. The students being investigated were the fourteen student naturalists in the 2023-2024 Wolf Ridge graduate naturalist program. The practices were introduced to the graduate students through professional development sessions and through their graduate classes. Throughout the semester, data was gathered related to what the practices provided students in their learning, how the practices impact the Wolf Ridge graduate program, and by using the practices, what could the students learn about the natural world. Data was collected through observations of the graduate student's natural history classes, through surveys administered through Google Forms, and through individual interviews. It was found that the practices provided the students with a strong framework and skills for learning about natural history and for teaching environmental education. The practices make the Wolf Ridge graduate program welcoming to all students, regardless of their education background prior to the start of the program. The practices teach students how to be an explorer of the natural world as well as specific pieces of natural history such as identification of trees and animals.