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Have you ever stepped over a track in the mud, seen a pile of scat on the ground or a scratch on a tree and wondered who made it and what it was up to? Join Wildwise to learn about the fundamentals of the art and science of wildlife tracking. Through a combination of class time and field time, you will become grounded in the context for what wildlife tracking is, and particularly how it is relevant to a variety of people: from wildlife scientists, to conservationists, to educators, or simply for people who want to be more connected to the natural world in the places that they live. Wildlife tracking offers a holistic ecological window into the happenings of the living world around us. By becoming aware of wildlife that live in our backyards, the world around us will take on a completely different feel.
In this course, you will gain the skillset to start, or to continue, exploring the vast world of exploring the tracks and signs left behind by animals making a life on the planet. We will cover:
While we will have a course structure to follow, every tracking experience is unique. We will follow the curiosity of the students who show up as well as the tracks and trails of the animals we come across. While this course is geared towards people closer to the beginning of their tracking journey, we will find ways to stimulate even experienced trackers. If you consider yourself a very experienced tracker, then this course may not be the best fit for you. Participants will leave this course looking at the ground in a completely different way with the tools to continue to develop themselves as connected naturalists who can read the stories left behind by the living world.
Course leader: Marcus Reynerson
Marcus is a naturalist, educator, facilitator, photographer and budding filmmaker. He has worked in wilderness education, outdoor leadership, and conservation for numerous organizations and communities across North America and Europe. He is engaged in telling stories that bring to light and life, the complexity of humans living in the 21st century. Marcus currently lives in the Snoqualmie Valley in Washington State, just east of Seattle. He is the Program Manager and Instructor for an internationally renowned environmental leadership program for adults at the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, WA, and is also an evaluator with the North American Branch of CyberTracker Conservation, an organization dedicated to providing leading edge assessment and training in the art and science of wildlife tracking across the globe.
Arrival from 4pm; supper at 7pm; course introduction begins at 8pm.
Departure 4pm Sunday
All bushcraft and field equipment for activities will be provided.
Detailed joining instructions including a kit list will be provided. In summary essentials you will need to bring include:
This event takes place at a private meadow riverside site near Newbridge on Dartmoor. Full joining instructions including directions will be emailed to you after booking once the event is confirmed. In the meantime the approximate location is shown below on the map.
You can also view the What3words location extremes.skin.torso here.
Simple breakfasts and evening meals are included plus refreshments throughout the day are available.
Participants are asked to bring their own food for lunches and snacks.
**ITC Certificate in Outdoor First Aid**
Outdoor Leaders – is your First Aid training up to date? Booking now for places on our Sept 25-26 course near Holne on Dartmoor Details here