Accurately reading the woods, marshes and meadows in the winter can be a challenging endeavor but there is so much to observe and learn at this time of the year. This half-day class will introduce participants to observation skills, tree and plant communities and identification in the winter, wildlife ecology and its study through track and sign, bird life and their activity in winter, and any other aspects of our unique local biodiversity that present themselves on this day out. Good snow cover should allow some hands-on lessons iin the subnivean zone and its occupants as well. Come prepared for an off-trail exploration with a backpack holding water, extra layers and whatever else you need for a few hour exploration of our winter woods.
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Ages: 17+ (ages 10+ welcome to register with participating adult)
Location: Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area, La Farge, WI
Instructions: Please wear insulated boots, dress in appropriately warm layers on upper and lower body and wear warm hand and head coverings! Better to shed a layer into your pack than be cold, we may not be moving very quickly.
Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines (not including Materials Fees)
Supporter Level Ticket: $70
If you move through the world with financial ease and the means to fulfill many of your wants as well as your needs – you are able to eat out when you want, abundantly meet your needs through employment or can comfortably not work, have access to family wealth, own property, etc. – consider paying at this level, which will help us ensure the long term sustainability of our programs while keeping our offerings accessible to those with access to fewer resources.
Sustainer Level Ticket: $55
If you are able to meet your needs with relative ease while budgeting your educational and entertainment spending – for instance, you are able to take classes and eat out occasionally as long as you are mindful – consider paying at this level, which will help sustain the work of the Folk School at a modest level.
Supported Level Ticket: $40
If you struggle to fund your basic needs and have limited access to resources in your family and community, or if you would not be able to access this offering without a discounted payment option, consider paying at this level. We value your presence and contributions to our community and do not want any economic circumstances to be a barrier to attendance!
Instructor Bio
Nicholas WazeeGale is a lifelong student of the natural world, traditional cultures, and sustainability. His life is intricately tied to the Driftless landscape through foraging plant and fungi foods, hunting and fishing, tanning skins, making traditional handcraft, and obsessively observing and tracking the myriad unfoldings of the living landscape. He is a long time instructor with the Driftless Folks School and other outdoor education institutions, contracts as a professional wildlife tracker with the Wisconsin DNR, and teaches at the Kickapoo Valley Forest School. He is a certified Wilderness Guide through a year long wilderness living immersion course and holds both a Professional and Specialist Certification in track and sign via Tracker Certification North America.