Naturalist Apprenticeship
Humans are hard-wired to the rhythms of the living, breathing natural world. Whether you call it neurobiology or spiritual connection, paying attention to what's happening on the landscape around us is what makes us who we are.
Many of us deeply want to belong to the land where we live— to cultivate a rich, intimate connection to our landscape that is both emotional and rational. The Naturalist Apprenticeship balances these two facets—the rational from honing our skills of observation and awareness, and the emotional from relationship-building, intention, and cultural practices such as gratitude, intention, and story
We'll start in winter, with an overview of journaling techniques, tree identification, and winter bird behavior. While the snow remains, we'll follow tracks and interpret mammal feeding and breeding behavior. Spring ephemerals will emerge, along with bird nesting and mating behaviors. Next, we'll watch trees leaf out, meadow plants start to bloom, and summer arrive in full. When fall arrives, we'll look at bird migration, animal preparations for winter, foliage change, and leaf drop.
When we end, you'll have been in the field for a full cycle of the seasons, and you'll be prepared to continue your naturalist practice in the future. You'll leave this program with equal parts connection and natural history skills.
We meet one weekend a month from January through November, omitting April and August. There is optional homework between sessions. Most of our time will be spent in the field, and we'll be outside in almost all weather, walking up to several miles a day over varied and sometimes challenging terrain. We start around 9am on Saturday, and spend a long day in the field. Sunday is shorter. Please consider your level of physical fitness when registering.
2025 Naturalist Intensive Dates:
We'll meet one weekend a month from January to November, with no class in April or August.
Jan 11-12
Feb 8-9
Mar 8-9
April no class
May 10-11
Jun 14-15
Jul 12-13
Aug no class
Sep 13-14
Oct 18-19
Up to full tuition funding available for VT residents through VSAC state grants—contact me for more info!
$2,600. Early bird discount: $2300 before Nov 15. To reserve a spot, please contact me and submit a $300 non-refundable deposit. Payment plans are available, as well as limited financial aid and barter. If finances are a barrier for you, please contact me.
Questions:
If you have questions, or for more information, please contact me at foxpawschool@gmail.com
Wildlife Tracking Classes
and Apprenticeship
Take a deep dive into the art and science of wildlife tracking!
Tracking is a practice that gives us a window into the lives of the other animals on the landscape, builds awareness and observation skills, and creates deep connection to place. These five weekend classes can be taken individually, or all together as a cohesive tracking apprenticeship.
If you choose the apprenticeship option, there is optional homework and journaling between session, providing optional structure and accountability for students who want to go deeper into this skillset.
Beginners and experienced trackers welcome—no matter your skill level, there is something here for you.
Topics include:
- Clear track ID
- Animal anatomy and foot morphology
- Sign ID, including feeding, beds, scent marking, etc
- Skull, feather, and track cast ID
- Gaits and animal biomechanics
- Landscape-scale natural history and reading the terrain
- Interpreting stories on the land
- And much more!
Most of our time will be spent in the field, and we'll be outside in almost all weather, walking up to a mile over varied and sometimes challenging terrain. Please consider your level of fitness when registering.
2025 tracking class/apprenticeship dates:
February 22-23
March 15-16
May 17-18
July 19-20
September 20-21
Up to full tuition funding available for VT residents through VSAC state grants—contact me for more info!
Single weekend $275. Apprenticeship (all five weekends) $1300. Early bird discount: $1100 before Dec 15. To reserve a spot, please contact me and submit a $250 non-refundable deposit. Payment plans are available, as well as limited financial aid and barter. If finances are a barrier for you, please contact me.
Questions:
If you have questions, or for more information, please email foxpawschool@gmail.com
CyberTracker Tracking Class and Certification
We learn tracking best from other people—as Mark Elbroch says, "Tracking takes more than a lifetime to learn." This weekend long tracking class and certification is a unique, participative way to deepen your tracking knowledge, no matter your skill level—although there is a certification element to the weekend, all skill levels are welcome!
Expect to spend two full days out on the land, looking at track and sign, and answering questions about which animals were here, and what they were doing. This format is an excellent way to sharpen your observation skills and deepen your understanding of our wild kin on the land. And if you don't know the answer? Not to worry, we'll have plenty of time with evaluator Nate Harvey to discuss and learn.
The conversations after participant answers have been submitted is the richest part of this experience—it's here that you get to see how your process and observations led you to your conclusion, and match that up to what's on the ground. The atmosphere is engaging and supportive, and there is no outside pressure to achieve a certain score, although you can elect to try and earn a certificate if you'd like.
This evaluation system is administered by Tracker Certification North America (TCNA), using the Cybertracker Conservation system of certification. For more information about the system, and why it's called CyberTracker when it has nothing to do with computers, watch the TCNA storymap here.
Fox Paw school is honored to host these certifications on an ongoing basis, and we'll put up new dates as we confirm them.
Upcoming weekends:
March 1-2, 2025. Location: Hardwick, VT, and surrounding areas. $375.
Please contact me with any questions. To register, contact me and send registration fees (checks made out to Fox Paw School) to the below mailing address.
Workshops & Custom Classes
The Fox Paw School can travel to you!
I'm available to present to your university class, student group, or just to you and your friends. I offer workshops ranging from tracking, to bird language, to skull interpretation, to pattern-based tree ID. We can also develop a custom class that focuses on your specific interests.
Contact me about rates or to discuss content for a ready-made or custom class.