Youth and School Programs

Through volunteer and funding support, the Friends support a number of environmental education initiatives at the nature center. The Waukesha County website has an extensive environmental education guide which details these scheduled educational activities open to the public. For more information about programs offered, visit https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/envedu/.

Limited funding may be available through a Friends of Retzer Nature Center Educational Program Grant (up to $500) towards program fees or transportation. Please click here to download the application.

Do you want to make a positive impact through stewardship, citizen science, and educational activities? If so, you may want to become a Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteer. 🌳📓🏞 Waukesha County Parks and Friends of Retzer Nature Center are hosting its 5th annual week-long Master Naturalist Volunteer Training from July 21-26, 2025, at Retzer Nature Center, a 480-acre County Park located in the heart of Waukesha County. REGISTRATION OPENS on Monday, January 13 at 9 a.m. sharp and will fill up fast!The Wisconsin Master Naturalist program is statewide and supported through University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. The program promotes awareness, understanding, and stewardship of the natural environment by developing a network of well-informed volunteers dedicated to conservation service within their communities.Through expert-led trainings out in nature and in the classroom, Master Naturalists are equipped to address environmental challenges facing the state. Expect an exploration of the prairies, forests, waters, wildlife, and geology of southeast Wisconsin. The training will include limited classroom time at Retzer Nature Center and local field experiences incorporated into each day throughout Waukesha County (i.e. Lapham Peak, Fox River Park, Pewaukee Lake, just to name a few).Learn more about Retzer Nature Center’s training at: wimasternaturalist.org/trainings/volunteer-training/ ... See MoreSee Less