Portland Monthly Tracking and Awareness Classes

The Art of Tracking is at the heart of our curriculum. It becomes a poignant way of fnding connection to the natural world. The awareness of ancient trackers was born from survival, on a trail where senses grow raw and answers simply shape greater puzzles. Through tracking you develop both a timeless and personal understanding of participatory ecology, patterns and systems, telling the tale of another world, alive and on the edge of our awareness.

The Class

Through a mixture of hands on activities and presentation students develop a basic foundation of tracking and awareness. Our goal is to have you complete the class and be well on our way to more advanced work.

Upcoming topics

Winter Ecology & Sign Tracking January 12, 2010 10am-4pm This urban wildlands tracking class is for both begginging and intermediate students. Tracking deer, otter, nutria, beaver and other animals we cover more then clear prints in the sand or mud, we teach easy ways to train to see tracks and sign over leaf litter, moss or grass. We also answer the important question of "why" the animal is there, relating what we find to winter foraging, cover or pressure from other animals (especially human and dog). Together students create a working map of wildlife movement in one of Portland's most important urban greenspaces, Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. From that map, we ask questions of how our human interaction and relationship in surrounding neighborhoods can help increase diversity and abundance of our urban and native wildlife.

We also include an introduction to our Independent Tracking & Ecology Course, offering the basic course book free while setting up a timeline of independent study where you can continue your development as a tracker. This class is taught by Tony Deis and assistants.