Experiential Learning

Online Zoo Management Classes

Learn online with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy’s world-renowned experts. Our partnership provides our students a chance to engage in real world case studies that are used to train current keepers and staff at zoos and aquaria around the world. The courses cover a range of important topics including 3 short courses on Animal Welfare, 5 courses as prerequisites to Animal Care, 15 courses on Animal Care, 5 courses on Animal Behavior, 5 courses on Conservation, and 3 courses on Zoo Interpretation. These courses are an excellent complement to UNL taught courses.

For more information contact: John Carroll or Larkin Powell

Safe Capture Training

The School of Natural Resources and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy cooperate on an in person workshop on Safe Animal Capture. Typically we conduct this course during Spring Break. The course is booked through SDZ, but in addition students can sign up for NRES 42 (no credit and no cost) to have the course show on their UNL transcripts. Students in Fish and Wildlife are particularly encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

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Learn reliable, safe, and effective techniques for the species you work with and the scenarios you encounter! This training provides the most complete, up-to-date instruction available on chemical immobilization of animals, presented in an easy-to-understand manner that is applicable to all experience levels. The instructors are veterinarians and biologists who specialize in remotely-delivered anesthetic agents. This program, which has historically been considered by many to be the standard in chemical immobilization training, is now part of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy.

Typical Course Agenda

Day One:

• Introduction/General Considerations
• Medication Delivery Techniques
• Capture Pharmacology
• Dart Lab Video Presentation

Day Two:

• Species Specific Drug Dosages & Volume Calculations
• Approach, Post Capture Care & Anesthesia Monitoring
• Medical Emergencies
• Human Safety and Accidental Human Exposure

In-Person Workshop at UNL

March 22-23, 2025

Registration due March 14, 2025

For more information contact: John Carroll

Introduction to Prescribed Fire Short Course

In conjunction with Nebraska Pheasants Forever, we offer a free, eight hour, short course to get your start in the basics of prescribed fire and your role as crew member on prescribed fire. This course involves three hours of online self learning followed by a five hour field day to put what you learned into practice on live fire. The field day will be conducted at Nine-Mile Prairie, Lincoln Nebraska.

For more information contact: David Wedin

Wildland Fire Fighting (Red Card Training)

The Nebraska Forest Service and the School of Natural Resources offer the NWCG S-130 (Firefighter Training) and S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior) courses leading to the basic Red Card certification. This training is recognized by all cooperating state and federal natural resource agencies. The combined (S-130/S-190) 36-hour course is offered annually on East Campus (usually in early May).

For more information contact: David Wedin

National Association of Interpretation's Certified Guide and Certified Host

Coming Soon These Certifications are becoming more important for job applicants in parks, nature centers, zoos and other jobs.

For more information contact: Lisa Pennisi

National Environmental Education Curricula

Numerous environmental education certifications including Project Wet, Project Learning Tree and Growing Up Wild. Certifications include teaching and learning reference materials that are great for teachers.

For more information contact: Lisa Pennisi

Wilderness First Responder

Partnering with Campus Recreation and Outdoor Adventures. Get in-depth and hands-on experience in handling medical, environmental, and traumatic emergencies in the backcountry.

For more information: Campus Recreation Courses

Platte Basin Timelapse Internships

Paid interns are trained in the use of the technical digital image gathering technology, and play an important role in processing the PBT images into time-lapse videos, researching and writing background information that provides the basis for contextual storytelling centered on PBT cameras, and in suggesting new ways to communicate to our constituents through our website, newsletter, and social media.

For more information: Mariah Lundgren

Student Law Enforcement Internship

SNR has partnerships with the Nebraska Games and Parks Commissions for Student Law Enforcement Internships. This internship is designed to expose student interns to a vast array of experiences including patrol techniques, criminal investigations, identification and records procedures, and victim assistance. Interns will be given the opportunity to not only observe officers, but train and work alongside them as well.

For more information: Sara Winn

Cabela's Apprenticeship

Gain experience doing research that addresses real issues centered around:

• recruiting and maintaining participants in outdoor activities
• managing fish and wildlife and creating their habitat
• protecting threatened and endangered species
• supporting ecosystem conservation

For more information contact: Chris Chizinski