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.

October 13, 2026
November 10, 2026- Karen Murchie, Director of Freshwater Research, Shedd Aquarium
December 8, 2026- "Bees and Butterflies of Michigan", with Logan Rowe, Zoologist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory
January 12, 2027
February 19, 2027
March 9, 2027

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: Casting for a Career in Coldwater Conservation, with Jamie Vaughan; December 2023

Published on December 12, 2023

This month’s 4-H Wild Spartans Series will take a dive into the Great Lakes and rivers to explore their coldwater residents.
Wild Spartans: Froggin' Around - Careers in the Exotic Animal Industry with Zach Brinks; November 2023

Published on November 13, 2023

“Froggin' around - careers in the exotic animal industry.” You will meet Zach Brinks, Vice President of Live Operations at Josh’s Frogs. You’ll learn about his work, and the education and career path he followed to get there. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A. This free series is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19 years.
Wild Spartans: Snakes and Frogs- Fieldwork in the Tropics, With Dr. D. Bruce Means; October 2023

Published on October 30, 2023

You will meet Dr. D. Bruce Means, biologist with the Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy & Adjunct Professor at Florida State University. He was recently featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story and documentary ‘The Last Tepui’. You’ll learn about his field work, and the education and career path he followed to get there.