Wilderness Courses at Alderleaf
Alderleaf offers a variety of wilderness courses, presentations, and programs of varying lengths. Core fields of study include:
- Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft
- Permaculture & Sustainable Living
- Wildlife Tracking & Awareness
- Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants
- Naturalist Skills & Ecology
- Nature-based Education & Leadership
Our wilderness courses provide people of all ages and skill levels with valuable nature skills. Classes are led by faculty with a wealth of experience and are held year-round in the Pacific Northwest. Courses are listed below. You can also visit the Frequently Asked Questions.
Core Programs:
The Alderleaf Wilderness Certification Program
- September to May
Our most comprehensive course! Nine months of in-depth training in survival, nature skills, and sustainability. Accepting applications for 2012-2013!
Extended Classes:
Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship
- Begins Feb 11 and Sep 8, 2012
Field-based training in wildlife tracking skills in the Pacific Northwest.
Meets in winter/spring & fall sessions. Open for enrollment.
Wilderness Survival Series
- Begins Jun 23, 2012
Join us for six exciting back-to-back weekends of in-depth wilderness survival skills training! Open for enrollment.
Self Sufficiency Series
- Begins Jul 9, 2012
Join us for three intensive summer courses on sustainable living, natural building, and survival. Open for enrollment.
Short Courses (day-long, weekend, and week-long classes):
Events are listed chronologically.Wilderness First Aid Training Course - Feb 24-26, 2012
This wilderness first aid course is designed to introduce you to the concepts of medical care in a wilderness setting. Wilderness Survival Weekend Course
Mar 10-11 or Jun 23-24 or Nov 24-25, 2012
Learn the most important skills for survival: shelter, water, fire, and food. Gain practical, hands-on experience!
Introduction to Permaculture
- Mar 17, 2012
Join us for a day to learn about the basics of permaculture - a revolutionary sustainable design system!
Survival Stone Tools Class - Jun 30, 2012
Learn how to turn common river stones into a variety of survival tools from knives to arrowheads and axes. Survival Knots, Cordage, & Lashings Class - Jul 1, 2012
Learn cordage and the most useful knots and lashings for wilderness survival shelters, snares, baskets, nets, repairs, and rescues. Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants Course - Jul 7-8, 2012
Learn how to utilize wild plants for food and medicine in the wilderness or at home. Covers identification, collection, and preparation. Wilderness Survival Skills Intensive - Jul 9-13, 2012
Spend five full days immersed in studying outdoor survival skills! This wilderness course includes detailed instruction and hands-on practice. Wooden Bow Making Course - Jul 13-15, 2012
Learn how to make a wooden long bow. Build and take home a bow, an arrow, and the skills to make more! Survival Trapping & Tracking Course - Jul 21-22, 2012
Learn primitive trapping and tracking techniques for emergency survival situations including safety, ethics, placement, and construction. Wilderness Orienteering & Navigation Class - Jul 28, 2012
Learn how to use map & compass, as well as aid-less navigation techniques, for traveling on and off-trail in the outdoors. Survival Nature Awareness Class - Jul 29, 2012
Learn nature awareness skills for survival, including bird language, wildlife tracking, stealth, observation, and camouflage. Permaculture Design Course - Jul 30 - Aug 10, 2012
Learn how to work with nature to create a more sustainable world and become more self sufficient. Earn a Permaculture Design Certificate. Cob Oven Workshop - Aug 10-12, 2012
Learn cob oven construction from start to finish. Let your imagination soar while learning ecologically appropriate, sustainable building skills! Human Tracking Course - Aug 18-19, 2012
Learn mantracking skills as applied to detecting, interpreting, and following sign of the passage of humans, be they lost, missing or evasive.
Wild Mushroom Identification Class
- Oct 20, 2012
Learn the skills needed to utilize wild edible mushrooms! Spend an exciting day in the field learning about these magnificent fungi.
Survival Fire Making Skills
- Nov 3, 2012
Learn how to create fire with natural materials! Gain hands-on experience with bow drill, hand drill, and flint & steel.
Custom Courses: (Custom classes are additional wilderness courses available to groups upon request. Contact us to inquire.) Wildlife Tracking Weekend Course
Learn animal tracking skills with local wildlife tracker, Jason Knight. Designed for both the outdoor enthusiast and environmental professional. Language of the Birds Class
Spend the day learning about bird language and how it can help you discover more wildlife. Learn how to interpret bird calls and more. Nature Photography Class
Spend a fun and engaging day learning the fundamentals of nature photography with Filip Tkaczyk. Nature-based Outdoor Education
This course introduces you to the tools needed to be an effective nature instructor. Designed for teachers, parents, and mentors. Wilderness Scout Intensive
Learn the skills of the ancient scouts - nature awareness, bird language, and more - in this exciting five day immersion program. Summer Nature Camp
Alderleaf's program for youth. Your children can also experience Alderleaf's amazing wilderness education.
Past and Future Special Events:
Listed below are special events we've hosted in the past and/or are planning for the future. Join our eNewsletter to stay abreast of schedule updates and additions. CyberTracker Track & Sign and Trailing Evaluations
An excellent learning opportunity, skills assessment, and opportunity to become a certified wildlife tracker. Carnivore Tracking Presentation with Sue Morse
An exciting and informative presentation on lynx, bobcat, mountain lion, and black bear and their unique tracks and sign. Tracking Workshop with Sue Morse
Learn about black bears, cougars, and bobcats in the field with distinguished tracker and wildlife photographer, Susan Morse. Tracking Expedition to South Africa
Study wildlife tracking in Africa with expert South African trackers, in the Greater Kruger National Park. Tracking Presentation with Adriaan Louw
Join Adriaan Louw for slides and stories from the African bush. Learn about the art of trailing and the role of wildlife trackers. Trailing Workshop with Adriaan Louw
Alderleaf Wilderness College is honored to be hosting senior tracker, Adriaan Louw for an exciting trailing workshop!
Online registration is available for many of our wilderness courses.
Visit the Course Registration page to sign up for classes.
Course Discounts - Receive 10% Off!We offer three ways to receive a 10% discount for our short courses (day-long, weekend, and week-long wilderness courses): 1. Early Registration Discount: Register at least two months prior to the start date and receive a 10% discount; or 2. Family/Friend Discount: Register together with a family member or friend at the same time and receive a 10% discount; or 3. Multiple Class Discount: Register for more than one class at the same time and receive a 10% discount. (Please note: To receive the the discount, you must register by phone or postal mail, as our online registration system is unable to calculate discounts)
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You can also visit our Calendar of Wilderness Courses
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