In-Person Learning Opportunities
Program run via the Wells Reserve. To register call 207-646-1555 X116 OR
email Suzanne Kahn (skahn@wellsnerr.org) today.
Unique, gorgeous and wild. Pine Barrens and sandplain habitats are special places with fascinating wildlife.
Join Dan Gardoqui for a half-day of immersion into the tracks, sign and stories of mammals, birds, invertebrates and more in the sandy soils and pine & oak forests of Southern Maine pine barrens habitats. These places are excellent for learning tracking or honing your skills because of the immense amount of sands that the last glaciers deposited here over 12,ooo years ago.
Dan is a Certified Wildlife Tracker and has been teaching tracking for over 30 years. His knowledge and passion for wildlife tracks and sign is seemingly unlimited. Come join this small group for some focused learning and fun in the barrens.
The sandy beaches and river banks of the coast are hard to beat for learning wildlife tracking.
Join Dan Gardoqui for a half-day of immersion into the tracks, sign and stories of mammals, birds, invertebrates and more along Ogunquit Beach. We will focus on track identification, understanding animal gaits, interpreting track patterns and decoding wildlife sign.
Dan is a Certified Wildlife Tracker and has been teaching tracking for over 30 years. His knowledge and passion for wildlife tracks and sign is seemingly unlimited. Come join this small group for some focused learning and fun along the seaside.
What You’ll Learn: Learn to recognize tracks of mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates on your landscape, and to interpret animal movement and behavior. The practice of wildlife tracking reveals a hidden world of animal sign, and develops the ability to find subtle evidence of animal presence. In short, this skill set facilitates knowledge on a remarkable variety of life in an ecosystem.
The Process: Take part in this amazing, welcoming wildlife tracking workshop with the potential for certification. Open to all folks, this is a two-day deep-dive into the world of wildlife track and sign as seen through the eyes of a professional tracker and educator. While certificaiton is possible, (all participants who score 69% or higher will receive a certificate), there will be ample time for thoughtful review of all topics addressed.
The Workshop Leader: Nate Harvey is a fabulous educator. He works for CyberTracker Conservation, running both Trailing and Track & Sign workshops and certifications. Additionally, he teaches Trailing in workshops near his home in southern Vermont and around the country. To learn more about Nate and his work visit his website. Nate is a kind, patient and extremely skilled educator who you don’t want to miss. Space is limited to 10 people.
Guided Wild Weekends
Bold Coast Birds & Beauty
There is a magical place in on the far reaches of the Maine Coast where the sun touches the rugged coastline of rocks, evergreen forests and remote wilderness.
This is the Bold Coast.
Join Dan Gardoqui for an unforgettable 3-day weekend in one of Maine’s least-known and most beautiful regions. Explore natural wonders and hidden coves along this stunning coastline to see unique birds during the fall bird migration season. With Dan, you’ll learn about the unique coastal boreal habitats that support rare birds like Spruce Grouse and Boreal Chickadees.
Dan will meet you at a pre-determined location near Lubec, Maine for a Friday mid-afternoon of exploring and enjoying the sunset. On Saturday, you’ll take in a Bold Coast sunrise & morning session. After a relaxing siesta, we’ll reconvene for another pm/sunset session. Sunday we’ll catch our final sunrise and wrap up around noontime.
Are you seeking a personalized, hands-on approach to learning in the wild with a skilled guide? Guided Wild Weekends are carefully curated nature-connection experiences. Each weekend includes 2 days of skill-based, nature immersion in carefully chosen wild locations.
Guided Wild Details
Small Groups: No more than 6 clients per Guided Wild weekend
Application: Clients must complete a simple screening application to ensure a good fit for the experience. Apply now.
Timing: We’re outside each day for approximately 6-8 hours (times vary depending on season & location)
Transportation, Food & Lodging: clients are responsible for their own transport to/from locations, all food and all lodging.
Covid-19: all programs will follow Maine CDC recommendations at the time of the Guided Wild Weekend. Timely updates will be communicated, including Covid-related cancellation policies.
Guide Fee: weekend guide fee is between $400-500 per person (wknd dependent). After applying, you can register and pay in full. Note: if you cannot pay in full, please contact Dan regarding options.
