Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Technical Training and Certification Program (TTCP) work in partnership to provide a variety of annual trainings related to native plants and native plant communities. Trainings include online modules, in-person coursework, and in-field, hands-on workshops. Subjects range from the use and application of the DNR Field Guides to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota to identification of species within specific plant groups such as grasses, sedges, or prairie plants.
Who are these classes for?
These classes are geared for natural resource managers working in forests, prairies, and wetlands, but are open to anyone who is interested.
How much do classes cost?
All workshops are free except for select workshops.
2026 Ecological and Native Plant Community Classes
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Board of Water and Soil Resources’ Technical Training and Certification Program (TTCP) and The Xerces Society are partnering to offer training on ecological and native plant community (NPC) topics this summer!
Find detailed class descriptions and map of approximate class locations below and when you are ready to register, use this link!
Some classes will fill up quickly, so sign up early! Approximately 30 days after registration, you will get a class confirmation or waitlist email. The course instructors will send out additional information on class logistics two weeks prior to the scheduled event. There is no cost for these classes, but participants may be encouraged to bring specific resources to each training event (field guides, hand lens, clipboard, etc.). Details are provided in the confirmation email.
If you are having difficulties with the online registration process, please contact Sara Okerlund, [email protected], for help troubleshooting.
Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the lead instructor at least two weeks prior to class date. Calls from Telecommunications Relay Service users are welcome.
Need a Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota? DNR staff can contact the class administrator listed on the next page to request a copy. Field Guides are also available for purchase by the public at the University of Minnesota Bookstore.
- Introduction to Field Guides
- 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., April 22
LOCATION: Cloquet Forestry Center (location 1)
DESCRIPTION: In this classroom-based training, participants will be introduced to the theory and use of the Native Plant Community Field Guides of Minnesota. Working with the field guides, participants will complete a tour of the books, learn which key features to focus on, how to key plant communities, and the pitfalls of using and applying the information. Participants will then apply this learning to some Minnesota scenarios, keying out the plants, figuring out the plant communities, and exploring management options.
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to
Understand the Ecological Classification System used in Minnesota
Become familiar with the layout of the field guide and how to use it
Recognize the connection between plant communities, soils, and landforms
Identify key plants that help define the native plant community
Practice using the field guide
Find useful data and information about native plant communities
Discuss applications of the field guide for natural resource management
SITE CONDITIONS: This is a classroom-based training and will be conducted indoors. Bring water, snacks, and lunch; an on-site lunch option may be available.
Questions? Contact the lead instructor, Michelle Martin, [email protected].
- Prairie Plants, Native Plant Communities, and Habitat Management – South session
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., June 23
LOCATION: Purrington Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, Cottonwood County (location 2, exact location to be announced)
DESCRIPTION: In this field-based training, participants will practice identifying native and non-native plants, classifying Native Plant Communities, and evaluating the ecological integrity of plant community. Purrington Prairie Scientific and Natural Area is host to dry hill prairie and wet tallgrass prairie. We will explore and identify plants and plant communities ranging from upland dry prairie to wet prairie.
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to
Identify native and weedy plants using various references
Understand how geologic history and soils help determine native plant community
Understand the DNR Native Plant Community classification system
Discuss management alternatives to achieve habitat enhancement goals
SITE CONDITIONS: This class is entirely field-based. There are some moderate-to-steep hills. On-site bathrooms are available in the form of a porta-potty. Come prepared for the weather conditions with rain gear, hat, long pants, sturdy hiking shoes, insect repellents, sunscreen. Ticks, mosquitoes, and poison ivy may be present. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated, snacks, and lunch.
Questions? Contact lead instructor Megan Benage, [email protected].
- Forest Native Plant Community Classification Methods – Carlton County
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., July 7
LOCATION: Cloquet Forestry Center (location 1, exact location to be announced)
DESCRIPTION: In this field-based training, participants will learn and practice plant identification and soil analysis, and walk through the methodology to classify several forested native plant communities The location of this workshop is the campus of the UMN Cloquet Forestry Center. This event will include transects in fire dependent, peatland, mesic and wet forest types.
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to
Recognize key characteristics for plant identification and use them to identify native plant species
Understand soil characteristics and land type information
Classify and differentiate native plant community classes and types
Observe native plant community changes along environmental gradients
Discuss considerations for managing native plant communities
SITE CONDITIONS: The locations visited as part of this workshop are natural, undeveloped areas and contain uneven ground, tripping hazards, and irritating insects/plants such as wood ticks, deer ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies, wood and stinging nettle, poison ivy, etc. While the upland portion of this workshop will likely have dry ground conditions and ample shade, expect and prepare for saturated conditions and full sun. Bring mud boots or tall waterproof footwear, sunscreen, and brimmed headwear.DO bring rain gear. Accessible toilet facilities are available in the CFC main building. The class will take place rain or shine.
Questions? Contact lead instructor Karen Updegraff, [email protected]
- Prairie Plants, Native Plant Communities, and Habitat Management – North session
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., July 14
LOCATION: Blanket Flower Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (location 4, exact location to be announced)
DESCRIPTION: In this field-based training, participants will practice identifying native and non-native plants, classifying Native Plant Communities and evaluating the ecological integrity of plant communities. Blanket Flower Prairie Scientific and Natural Area is dominated by rolling prairie hills interspersed with small groves of aspen. We will explore and identify plants and plant communities in upland prairie and small woodland patches.
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to
Identify native and weedy plants using various references
Understand how geologic history and soils help determine native plant community type
Understand the DNR Native Plant Community classification system
Discuss management alternatives to achieve habitat enhancement goals
SITE CONDITIONS: Some moderate-to-steep slopes. Ticks and poison ivy are present. There are no bathrooms although a porta-potty will be available.
Questions? Contact lead instructor Tyler Janke, [email protected].
- Forest Native Plant Community Classification Methods – Cass County
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., July 23, 2026
LOCATION: Hole in the Bog Peatland Scientific and Natural Area (location 3, exact location will be sent by course lead prior to class)
DESCRIPTION: In this field-based training, participants will learn and practice plant identification and soil analysis, and walk through the methodology to classify several forested native plant communities. The location of this workshop is within and adjacent to the Hole in the Bog Peatland Scientific and Natural Area, the southwestern-most peatland SNA in Minnesota. This event will begin with an upland mesic hardwood site in the Bowstring State Forest, then delve into the SNA's acid peatlands for further discussion of these unique ecological communities.
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to
Recognize key characteristics for plant identification and use them to identify native plant species
Understand soil characteristics and land type information
Classify and differentiate native plant community classes and types
Observe native plant community changes along environmental gradients
Discuss considerations for managing native plant communities
SITE CONDITIONS: This class is entirely field-based. Both locations visited as part of this workshop are natural, undeveloped areas and contain uneven ground, tripping hazards, and irritating insects/plants such as wood ticks, deer ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies, wood and stinging nettle, poison ivy, wild parsnip, etc.. While the upland portion of this workshop will likely have dry ground conditions and ample shade, expect and prepare for saturated peat substrates and full sun in the afternoon. Bring mud boots or tall waterproof footwear, sunscreen and brimmed headwear. Bathrooms are not available on site, but the Bena gas station is less than 2.5 miles to the north.
Questions? Contact lead instructor Nick Jensen, [email protected].
- Field Study of Soft Water Ponds Ecology and Flora
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 30
LOCATION: Keystone Wood Wildlife Management Area – Washington County (location 5, exact location to be announced)
DESCRIPTION: In this one-day, field-based workshop, participants will learn about the ecology and unique flora of soft-water ponds through hands-on, interactive activities. Soft-water ponds in this region occur in isolated, open water basins and have aquatic plants specialized to their low alkalinity environment. Participants will learn how to identify soft-water ponds, what makes these waterbodies different from more common waterbodies, what native plants are associated with them, and what rare plant species commonly occur in these systems.
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to
Distinguish soft water ponds from other waterbody types
Identify native submerged, floating-leaved, and emergent aquatic plants found in this community
Develop a basic understanding of aquatic plant community classification
Understand how geological history, landscape setting, and soils help determine the types of waterbodies and plant communities present on a site
Understand monitoring methods for aquatic vegetation
Have a baseline understanding of conservation and protection strategies for soft water ponds
SITE CONDITIONS: This class is entirely field-based. Participants should expect to get muddy and wet. Be prepared for ticks, biting flies, and other hazards typical of mid-summer.
Questions? Contact lead instructor Amanda Weise, [email protected]
- Oak Savanna Training
- Note: This is a two-day training
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sept. 23, and 9 a.m. to noon, Sept. 24, 2026
LOCATION: Minneopa State Park (location 6) - Blue Earth County, and another site to be determined
DESCRIPTION: This is a two-day class in which participants will visit several oak savanna sites at various stages of restoration. They will learn how to integrate prescribed burning, grazing, and brush removal to manage savannas and benefit wildlife, including pollinators. A guest presenter will talk specifically about pollinator use of these habitats.
OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to
Identify native and weedy plants commonly found in and around savannas
Understand how the geologic history and soils help determine this native plant community type
Understand the disturbance regime that historically maintained this community
Understand the MN DNR Native Plant Community classification system
Discuss and evaluate management alternatives to achieve habitat restoration and enhancement goals, and address the needs of local and native wildlife, including pollinators
Identify and evaluate an oak savanna and propose appropriate management per its site goals
SITE CONDITIONS: This class is entirely field-based. There are some moderate-to-steep hills. On-site bathrooms are available. Come prepared for the weather conditions with rain gear, hat, long pants, sturdy hiking shoes, insect repellents, sunscreen. Ticks, mosquitoes, and poison ivy may be present. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated, snacks, and lunch.
Questions? Contact lead instructor Megan Benage, [email protected].
Click to enlarge map.
Map shows general location of training classes and corresponding ecological province.