Wilderness Courses at Alderleaf
Alderleaf Wilderness College offers presentations, wilderness courses, and in-depth training in Traditional Ecological Knowledge:
Wilderness Survival: Hunter-gatherer living skills Animal Tracking: Interpreting tracks and sign Edible & Medicinal Plants: Nourishing wild plants Naturalist Skills: Local ecological knowledge Nature-Based Education: Teaching & leadership Permaculture: Sustainable living skills
Our wilderness courses provide outdoor enthusiasts and environmental professionals with valuable nature skills. Classes are led by faculty with a wealth of experience and are held year-round in the Pacific Northwest.
Core Programs:
The Alderleaf Wilderness Certification Program
- September to June Our most comprehensive course! Ten months of college-level training in nature skills and sustainability. Accepting applications for 2010-2011!
Extended Classes:
The Birding Apprenticeship
- September to June In-depth training in birding and bird language skills in the Pacific Northwest. Meets monthly. Open for enrollment.
The Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship
- September to June Field-based training in wildlife tracking skills in the Pacific Northwest. Meets monthly. Open for enrollment.
Weekend Wilderness Courses, Expeditions, and Presentations: Events are listed by month, January through December.
Nature-Based Outdoor Education
- Feb 27-28, 2010 This course introduces you to the tools needed to be a nature instructor. Designed for teachers, parents, and mentors.
Permaculture Design 101
- Mar 6, 2010 Join us for a day to learn about the basics of permaculture - a revolutionary sustainable design system!
Wilderness Survival Weekend
- Mar 20-21, 2010 Learn the most important skills for survival: shelter, water, fire, and food. Gain practical, hands-on experience!
Forest Stewardship Course
- Apr 3-4, 2010 Learn the basics of sustainable land management that promotes a healthy, biologically-diverse environment.
Track & Sign Evaluation
- Apr 2010 TBA An excellent learning opportunity, skills assessment, and opportunity to become a certified wildlife tracker!
Wildlife Presentation w/ Sue Morse
- Apr 2010 TBA An exciting and informative presentation on lynx, bobcat, mountain lion, and black bear and their unique tracks and sign.
Tracking Workshop w/ Sue Morse
- Apr 2010 TBA Learn about black bears, cougars, and bobcats in the field with distinguished tracker and wildlife photographer, Susan Morse!
Wilderness Scout Intensive
- May 2010 TBA Learn the skills of the ancient scouts - nature awareness, bird language, and more - in this exciting five day immersion program!
Medicinal Plants Course
- June 26-27, 2010 Learn about medicinal plants in the beautiful foothills of the northeastern Cascade Mountains.
Tracking Expedition to South Africa!
- July 2011 TBA Study wildlife tracking in Africa with expert South African trackers, in the Greater Kruger National Park.
Stone Tools Workshop
- Jul 10, 2010 Learn how to turn common river stones into a variety of survival tools from knives to arrowheads and axes.
Nature Photography Class
- Jul 31, 2010 Spend a fun and engaging day learning the fundamentals of nature photography with Filip Tkaczyk!
Summer Nature Camps
- Jul 19-23, 2010. Aug 16-20, 2010 Alderleaf's program for youth. Now your children can also experience Alderleaf's amazing wilderness education!
Wilderness Survival Skills Intensive
- Aug 2-6, 2010 Spend five full days immersed in studying outdoor survival skills! Includes detailed instruction and hands-on practice.
Wild Edible Plants Course
- Aug 14, 2010 Learn how to utilize wild plants for food in the wilderness or at home. Covers identification, collection, and preparation.
Language of the Birds Class
- Sep 18, 2010 Spend the day learning about bird language and how it can help you discover more wildlife. Learn how to interpret bird calls and more.
Wild Mushroom Identification Class
- Sep 25, 2010 Learn the skills needed to utilize wild edible mushrooms! Spend an exciting day in the field learning about mushrooms.
Tracking Presentation w/ Adriaan Louw
- Oct 2010 TBA Join Adriaan Louw for slides and stories from the African bush. Learn about the art of trailing and the role of wildlife trackers in Africa.
Trailing Workshop w/ Adriaan Louw
- Oct 2010 TBA Alderleaf Wilderness College is honored to be hosting senior tracker, Adriaan Louw for an exciting trailing workshop!
Trailing Evaluation
- Oct 2010 TBA Alderleaf is also hosting Adriaan Louw for an official Trailing Evaluation with CyberTracker International.
Wildlife Tracking Weekend Course
- Oct 30-31, 2010 Learn animal tracking skills with local wildlife tracker, Jason Knight. Designed for both the outdoor enthusiast and environmental professional.
Survival Fire Making Skills
- Nov 20, 2010 Learn how to create fire with natural materials! Gain hands-on experience with bow drill, hand drill, and flint & steel.
Presentation on Mountain Lions
- 2010 TBA Join visiting guest, Mark Elbroch, for a slide show presentation on cougars and his latest doctoral research.
Online registration is available for many of our wilderness courses.
Visit the Course Registration page to sign up for classes.
Sign up to the
Alderleaf eNewsletter
to receive updates on new wilderness courses and nature skills articles.
You can also visit our Calendar of Wilderness Courses
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Located in Snohomish County in the Seattle / Puget Sound Region of the Northwest. 360-793-8709 · 18715 299th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272

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