OFFERINGS
WILDLIFE TRACKING INTENSIVES
Women's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2025
January - June, 2025
Dates: January 11, February 1, March 8, April 26, May 24 and June 21 (note that Sundays of the same weekends are back-up weather dates)
Variety of locations within 30 minutes of Greenfield, Mass
Join a small group of women trackers for a 6-month long wildlife tracking intensive. Programs take place in various locations in western Massachusetts (mainly) and southern Vermont (possibly) in both winter and summer months. Participants will become more proficient with their identification of track and sign of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, learn to recognize and understand animal gaits and track patterns, and be encouraged to pursue independent learning projects.
This course is geared to women with any amount of tracking experience who are looking to deepen their knowledge and hone their skills. It is also open to those with no prior tracking experience but who are motivated and committed to learning! All female-identifying trackers are welcome.
Cost: $725. Early bird discount of $625 if registered and paid in full by November 1, 2024. Deposit of $150 required to hold a space in the program with the remainder due by December 1, 2024.
2025 WWTI intensive is FULL. Contact Kathy if interested in being added to the waitlist.
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Tracking to a New Level: Wildlife Tracking Intensive for Experienced Trackers
2025 Dates: January 18 & 19,
February 22 & 23, May 17 &18
Variety of locations within 30 minutes of Greenfield, Mass
Join a small group of experienced and highly motivated trackers for a wildlife tracking intensive spanning winter and late spring. Programs take place in various locations in western Massachusetts (mainly) and southern Vermont (possibly) in both winter and late spring months. Participants will become more proficient with their identification and interpretation of track and sign of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, deepen their understanding of animal locomotion and track patterns and receive guidance with independent learning projects.
This course is geared to adult trackers who have devoted considerable dirt time and study toward the honing of their tracking skill set and who wish to continue to deepen and broaden their knowledge and interpretive abilities as wildlife trackers. All genders welcome.
Cost: $725. Early bird discount of $625 if registered and paid in full by November 1, 2024. Deposit of $150 required to hold a space in the program with the remainder due by December 1, 2024.
2025 TNL intensive is FULL. Contact Kathy if interested in being added to the waitlist.
ANIMAL TRACKING
PROGRAMS & TRIPS
Stories in the Snow:
Winter Tracking
January 29th, 2025, 9am - 3:30pm
Location within 30 minutes of Greenfield, MA
Snow on the ground leaves beautiful clues for the curious tracker. Come join the Vermont Wilderness School to build your ecological literacy and find out what the animals are up to in the cold weather! We will be out for an invigorating winter day exploring the tracks and sign that animals have left behind in the woodlands and wetlands of western Massachusetts. We will cover track and sign identification, track patterns and gaits and discuss animal behaviors revealed by their signatures in the snow. All adults and all levels are welcome.
Visit Vermont Wildness School for more information or to register.
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Winter Wildlife Tracking
February 5, 2025, 9am - 12:00pm
Location in Williamsburg, MA
Snow on the ground leaves beautiful clues for the curious tracker. Come join the Hitchcock Center for the Environment to build your ecological literacy and find out what the animals are up to in the cold weather! We will be out for an invigorating winter morning exploring the tracks and sign that animals have left behind in the woodlands of western Massachusetts. We will cover track and sign identification, track patterns and gaits and discuss animal behaviors revealed by their signatures in the snow. All adults and all levels are welcome.
Visit the Hitchcock Center for more information or to register.
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Winter Tracking in the Northern Forest
March 1 &2, 2025
Location in Wilsons Mills, ME
Join Northern Songlines and Trotting Fox Programs for an Unforgettable Wildlife Tracking Weekend!
Whether you’re an experienced wildlife tracker or just starting out with a keen curiosity, this hands-on workshop offers a unique learning experience for all skill levels. Together, we’ll explore the majestic Northern Forest of Western Maine, where the northern hardwoods blend seamlessly into the boreal wilderness. Expect to encounter and interpret the tracks, trails, and signs of a diverse range of wildlife, including otter, marten, mink, deer, moose, birds, and more.
This immersive workshop takes place entirely outdoors, snow, sleet, rain or shine. All adults and all levels are welcome.
Visit Northern Songlines to learn more or to register.
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Track & Sign Certification for Women
May 10 & 11, 2025
Locations within 30 minutes of Greenfield, MA
Evaluator Daniel Hansche (they/them) of Spur Wander will be assisted in the field by Kathy Dean of Trotting Fox Programs. Our intention is to create a positive experience for female-identifying trackers by creating this affinity space.
In this highly educational workshop, participants will have the opportunity to be certified in Track & Sign through CyberTracker Conservation.
Cost is $365 online or $350 by check. For more information or to register, visit Tracker Certification.
BIRDING BY EAR & SKULL ID WORKSHOPS
Birding by Ear Workshops
Spring 2025 dates TBD
Locations: W. MA & S. VT
Have you ever wondered who is singing those love songs in the tree canopy, discreetly building a nest in your backyard, or scolding potential predators who have ventured too close for comfort? In this workshop we will be attuning our sense of hearing to the songs and calls of birds and what they are communicating with each other. Combining observation of birds’ vocalizations, behavior and movement patterns, we can deepen our understanding of the language of birds and what they have to teach us about the natural world. Come prepared to identify several different species by their songs and calls, and to gain deeper insight into the natural world through bird behavior and their language. All adults and all levels are welcome.
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Boning up on Mammal Skulls Workshops
October 5, 2024
Groundnut Gathering
Montgomery, MA
October 19, 2024
Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference, Charlton, MA
In these hands-on workshops, we begin with a discussion of skull anatomy and how that relates to animals’ natural history including their sensory adaptations and behavioral tendencies. Participants are then guided in seeking out the identity of skulls using their newfound skull “tracking” skills. Multiple species of mammal skulls will be on hand as well as some reference materials. People are also encouraged to bring animal skulls from their own collections if they choose.
Learn more about the Groundnut Gathering taking place October 5-6 here: Groundnut Gathering. Learn more about the Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference taking place October 18-20 here: Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference.
Contact Kathy if interested in scheduling a mammal skulls workshop in central New England.
NATURE WALKS & WILDLIFE SURVEYS
Nature Walks & Programs
Kathy is available for custom-tailored nature awareness programs or walks with individuals or small groups within the regions of western Massachusetts or southern Vermont. She is also available for monthly one-on-one nature mentoring. Her areas of interest and expertise include wildlife track and sign, mammal behavior and bird language as well as the interconnections between local flora and fauna. She is also keenly interested in trees and shrubs, ferns, edible and medicinal mushrooms, edible and medicinal plants and well, every element and interrelationship of the natural world!
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Wildlife Surveys
If you are interested in learning more about who your wild neighbors are and where on the landscape you are more likely to find sign of their presence, Kathy is available to visit your land anytime over the course of a year to undertake surveys of animal tracks and sign as well as to document which resident and migratory birds are present in your area. And if you are keen on setting out trail cameras or camera traps to capture photos or video footage of wildlife living their lives, she is available to guide you in locating potential hot spots for animal activity. Kathy's insatiable curiosity about the natural world combined with her depth of understanding of animal behavior are key to optimizing opportunities for viewing and appreciating the myriad lifeways and interrelationships of wild animals on the landscape.
Fees for the above offerings are based on length of sessions, group sizes and potential locations. A fee structure will be sent upon request.
Contact Kathy to discuss your interests, any questions you may have or to schedule time to meet in person.