The diversity of tree species in the Driftless is substantial and remarkable. We have species representative of both far northern and more southern forests in a unique mosaic related to soil, aspect, and moisture. Whether you are a mushroom hunter, birder, hunter, property owner, or aspiring naturalist, having good recognition of trees and forest composition is essential. These amazing beings are literally the pillars of our ecosystem, and so many of our natural systems rely on their contributions. We will improve our tree recognition by learning characteristics of their leaves, their crown shapes, bark features, and their twigs and branching characteristics. We will discuss how they influence the workings of our world, how they feed and shelter wildlife, the variety of gifts they offer us, and finally, how we can better protect and steward them.
Date: Saturday, August 2
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Lunch will be provided.
Ages: 8+ (youth only with a participating adult)
Location: Rural La Farge, WI
Instructions: Please bring a water bottle and dress to be out and hiking around in the woods (long pants, sun protection, closed shoes, etc). You are welcome to bring something to take notes with, or binoculars if you have them.
Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines
Supporter Level Ticket: $125
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: $100
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: $75
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
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.
Find him online at…
Instagram: @naturalnuances and/or @wildrootshandcrafts
Facebook: Nicholas WazeeGale
Website: www.wildrootshandcrafts.com