Intro to Wildlife Tracking and Nature Connection
Point Reyes, China Camp, San Geronimo Valley, Mount Tamalpais, Tilden Park
with Scott Davidson and friends
Looking at this blooming landscape on the edge of one of the world's largest valleys, who specifically lives here and how do they make a living through the seasons? Badgers, Grey foxes, Mule deer, Pallid bats? Do they need shelter in this season, or do they thrive in the rain? How about favorite foods and foraging grounds here? Where else do these animals live in California, and what do they tell us about the ecology of these places?
Let's go tracking together to learn what wild lives are out there, what they're up to, how to respectfully share habitat with them, or even why it matters! You can learn to read Nature more fully, let Nature tell its story, and feel a part of this story everyday. What adventures call you outside? What inside of you is touched and fulfilled by your time in Nature?
We were born for this. Let's connect with this place and learn to tend it well.
Let's go tracking together to learn what wild lives are out there, what they're up to, how to respectfully share habitat with them, or even why it matters! You can learn to read Nature more fully, let Nature tell its story, and feel a part of this story everyday. What adventures call you outside? What inside of you is touched and fulfilled by your time in Nature?
We were born for this. Let's connect with this place and learn to tend it well.
Twilight Tracking Series ~ Discovering Wildlife on the Edge
Twilight Tracking Series ~ Discovering Wildlife on the Edge
Welcome to the rich wild edges of your own neighborhood!
The Twilight Tracking Series is designed to make wildlife tracking easy and accessible for your well-being physically, mentally and spiritually. Like a morning run, mediation practice, yoga after work or dance class, each session is relatively short and close to home so you can easily weave it into the start or end of your day.
We believe tracking is for everyone, and want you to thrive with deep connection to your place. We are all innately curious and sensitive. We all learn to recognize patterns all around us, often unconsciously without much effort. Learning language skills comes naturally too, be it verbal, musical, somatic and otherwise. We soon begin to see the relationships between things and the communities at play, enabling us to read and confidently tell the stories of a place with incredible precision.
Wildlife tracking is a skill and a way of being that’s always available to everyone. What are you curious about in this season? What are you noticing outside right now? What's your personal influence on our loved predators such as bobcats, foxes and otters, and how might you take responsibility for that?
By stepping outside to engage a wild landscape, you are opening your body, heart, mind and spirit to the wildlife community of that place, opening to the possibility of learning its language, consciously connecting and someday belonging with that place, where you recognize that particular bird and what she’s saying, and she recognizes you. You both belong here. Let's go tracking!
The Twilight Tracking Series is designed to make wildlife tracking easy and accessible for your well-being physically, mentally and spiritually. Like a morning run, mediation practice, yoga after work or dance class, each session is relatively short and close to home so you can easily weave it into the start or end of your day.
We believe tracking is for everyone, and want you to thrive with deep connection to your place. We are all innately curious and sensitive. We all learn to recognize patterns all around us, often unconsciously without much effort. Learning language skills comes naturally too, be it verbal, musical, somatic and otherwise. We soon begin to see the relationships between things and the communities at play, enabling us to read and confidently tell the stories of a place with incredible precision.
Wildlife tracking is a skill and a way of being that’s always available to everyone. What are you curious about in this season? What are you noticing outside right now? What's your personal influence on our loved predators such as bobcats, foxes and otters, and how might you take responsibility for that?
By stepping outside to engage a wild landscape, you are opening your body, heart, mind and spirit to the wildlife community of that place, opening to the possibility of learning its language, consciously connecting and someday belonging with that place, where you recognize that particular bird and what she’s saying, and she recognizes you. You both belong here. Let's go tracking!
- Each session includes practices of ethics, gratitude, meditation, intention, empathy, imagination, artful questions and trust.
- Each session offers place-based lessons in wildlife ecology, species identification, animal behavior, lacks and larders.
- Sunrise and sunset sessions near twilight (7:30 AM and 6:00 PM) emphasize learning bird language (different from classic birding, but complimentary).
- The terrain is mild to moderate. Class begins and ends within 10 minutes of the trailhead parking. All ages welcomed.
- Members also have access to Track It! daily mysteries, Habitat Maps services, DNG.com weekly newsletter and abundant online resources.
- All Twilight Tracking sessions are guided by Scott Davidson and special guests.
"I loved every minute of it! Scott is a great teacher ~ knowledgeable, skillful, wise, humble..." -MK of Santa Barbara, CA
"I now have a renewed sense of confidence in my ability as a tracker. With Scott’s mentoring I was able to move through 'trailing walls' that previously would have discouraged me. Feeling grateful and satisfied." -MB of Sebastopol, CA
"I now have a renewed sense of confidence in my ability as a tracker. With Scott’s mentoring I was able to move through 'trailing walls' that previously would have discouraged me. Feeling grateful and satisfied." -MB of Sebastopol, CA
Cost: $15 drop in, $45 4-class pass, $90 unlimited anywhere for the entire Spring season (up to 48 classes!). Scholarships are available. All are welcome.
Tuesdays in Spring 2017: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6
Roy's Redwoods in the San Geronimo Valley is a gem with old-growth redwoods, and the Spotted Owls within them! Let's meet on the main trailhead on Nicasio Valley Road just North of Sir Francis Drake Blvd and the golf course:
https://goo.gl/maps/pL9naDN4gzJ2
Roy's Redwoods in the San Geronimo Valley is a gem with old-growth redwoods, and the Spotted Owls within them! Let's meet on the main trailhead on Nicasio Valley Road just North of Sir Francis Drake Blvd and the golf course:
https://goo.gl/maps/pL9naDN4gzJ2
Wednesdays in Spring 2017: 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7
China Camp in San Rafael is a hidden spot with sweet and salty waters and an incredible view! Let's meet at the roadside trailhead for Turtle Back Hill on North San Pedro Road just passed the main campground entrance in China Camp State Park, 3.5 miles from Hwy 101:
https://goo.gl/maps/stXDbkzmdBy
China Camp in San Rafael is a hidden spot with sweet and salty waters and an incredible view! Let's meet at the roadside trailhead for Turtle Back Hill on North San Pedro Road just passed the main campground entrance in China Camp State Park, 3.5 miles from Hwy 101:
https://goo.gl/maps/stXDbkzmdBy
Thursdays in Spring 2017: 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8
Deer Park in Fairfax is popular among bikers and barkers, and yet is still a very rich wildlife corridor! Let's meet near the open field at the beginning of the Deer Park parking lot, 4.9 miles West of Hwy 101 and 5.0 miles East of Spirit Rock:
https://goo.gl/maps/EzRC3B8LWPF2
Deer Park in Fairfax is popular among bikers and barkers, and yet is still a very rich wildlife corridor! Let's meet near the open field at the beginning of the Deer Park parking lot, 4.9 miles West of Hwy 101 and 5.0 miles East of Spirit Rock:
https://goo.gl/maps/EzRC3B8LWPF2
Tracking What? ~ Weekly Interactive Mysteries
Tracking What? ~ Weekly Interactive Mysteries
Ever get stuck in a rut with tunnel vision, autopilot or zoning out? We all do! Tracking What? are bi-weekly tracking mysteries sent to you with easy interactivity, personal mentoring from Scott, community discussions and an online webpage forum. This is a very simple and accessible service that invites you snap out of the rut and notice the amazing life all around you. You choose how to receive the weekly mysteries via txt, email or Facebook. Scott personally responds to every share. Members are part of a seasonal community playfully committed to deepening engagement with your home habitat. It's super easy, naturally fun and truly satisfying. Space is limited. Please join us!
Check out this sample:
Tracking What? Mystery #1:
Tracking What? Mystery #1:
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Got wildflowers (and flower lovers) nearby? Everyone does somewhere this time of year. Where's the nearest bloomer to where you're reading this right now, literally? Go find it, and see who else found it too, even if the sun is down. Bees, aphids, ants, spiders, birds, deer, who? What's the story of your nearest flower? It's not all nectar, ya know... ;)
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Take a pic of what you find then send it to me or post it in the Tracking What Forum, April 2017. I'd love to see it!
Cost: 30$ per month (that's just a buck a day!). Space is limited. Please join us!
Watershed Tracks: San Geronimo Valley
Watershed Tracks: San Geronimo Valley
In conjunction with the local Watershed Walks pilgrimages, Watershed Tracks are artfully guided wildlife tracking sessions in our local watersheds. Let's discover, connect with and celebrate the wild lives in your watershed. Please join us!
Next Watershed Tracks: Saturday, April 22 from 1:00-5:00pm, at Roy's Redwoods in the San Geronimo Valley
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or want conversation: Scott@DeepNatureGuides.com or 831.359.9852.
Next Watershed Tracks: Saturday, April 22 from 1:00-5:00pm, at Roy's Redwoods in the San Geronimo Valley
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or want conversation: Scott@DeepNatureGuides.com or 831.359.9852.
Past Tracking Classes:
Past Tracking Classes:
Sunset Wildlife Walk on Sunday, 5:00-8:00 pm, at Phoenix Lake, Mt Tamalpais Watershed. Let's meet at the Phoenix Lake trailhead parking lot at the end of Dibblee Road in Ross, CA. Directions are here: https://goo.gl/maps/YvoYt4SwcHF2 Drop-ins welcomed. This class is donation-based. Please RSVP if you are able: Scott@DeepNatureGuides.com or 831.359.9852
Intro to Wildlife Tracking on Saturday from 10 am to noon in Tilden Regional Park in the East Bay hills. Let's meet at the AC Transit #67 bus stop beside the Little Farm and Nature Area in the park. Directions are here: https://goo.gl/maps/fNEty4bbmT92. Drop-ins welcomed. This class is donation-based. Please RSVP if you are able: Scott@DeepNatureGuides.com or 831.359.9852.
Intro to Wildlife Tracking on Saturday from 10 am to noon in Tilden Regional Park in the East Bay hills. Let's meet at the AC Transit #67 bus stop beside the Little Farm and Nature Area in the park. Directions are here: https://goo.gl/maps/fNEty4bbmT92. Drop-ins welcomed. This class is donation-based. Please RSVP if you are able: Scott@DeepNatureGuides.com or 831.359.9852.
Be timeless this season!