For most, the introduction to the world of Lepidoptera comes through the day-time lens of butterflies, with moths left out due to their nighttime habits. However, moths make up over 80% of the biodiversity of lepidoptera globally and often surpass their butterfly cousins in color, pattern, behavior, and specialized relationship to plants. Hundreds of species of moths may be encountered from a single location, urban or rural, while only a couple of dozen butterflies might be flying in the same spaces. This workshop will give some well deserved time to this biodiverse group of nighttime creatures, hoping to not only inspire naturalists to take a closer look at their nighttime neighbors, but give educators a chance to spread their wings and engage others with discovering this excellent group of organisms. Expect a good introduction to moths, their biodiversity in Minnesota, and how to observe moths at all of their life stages. Join Sax-Zim Bog naturalist Clinton Dexter-Nienhaus as we explore and learn about our diverse lepidoptera neighbors!

This workshop will have indoor and outdoor components, with time spent outdoors in the dark. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight and folding chair for the outdoor portions. Bring a camera, note taking materials, snacks, and any other items you might need outdoors. Feel free to stay after the official end of the workshop for extended moth-watching time. 

Does it seem like magic to you—how a hawk sits calmly on a glove, an opossum willingly steps onto a scale, or an animal enters a crate without hesitation for a program? If you’ve ever wondered how this works, are now responsible for an ambassador animal collection, or are interested in starting one, this workshop is for you!

Discussion includes everything from the ground up: positive and negative reinforcement, positive and negative punishment, primary and secondary reinforcers, labels, and lures. Gail Buhl of the Raptor Center and Courtney Wright of Wolf Ridge ELC will guide you through training plans and show you how to apply these foundational concepts to begin training your own ambassador animals. Operant conditioning governs the behavior of all living organisms—come learn how it works!

This interactive session is filled with real-world examples and opportunities to practice, so come ready to participate and have fun!