OFFERINGS
WILDLIFE TRACKING INTENSIVES
Women's Wildlife Tracking Intensive
January - June, 2026
Dates: January 10, February 7, March 7, April 18, May 23, and June 20 (Sundays of the same weekends are back-up weather dates)
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Join a small group of women trackers for a 6-month long wildlife tracking intensive. Programs take place in various locations in western Massachusetts (mainly) and southern Vermont (possibly) in winter, spring and summer months. Participants will become more proficient with: identification of tracks and sign of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates / recognition and understanding of animal gaits and track patterns / familiarity with animal’s habits, behaviors and survival strategies and be strongly encouraged to pursue independent learning projects.
This course is geared to women with any amount of tracking experience who are looking to deepen their knowledge and hone their skills. It is also open to those with no prior tracking experience but who are motivated and committed to learning! All female-identifying trackers are welcome.
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Cost: $725.
Early bird discount of $650 is available if registered and paid in full by September 15, 2025. Deposit of $150 required to hold a space in the program with the remainder due by December 1, 2025.
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2026 is FULL! 2027 dates TBD, Contact Kathy Dean if you are interested in joining the 2027 Women's Wildlife Tracking Intensive or with any questions.
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Tracking to a New Level: Wildlife Tracking Intensive
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January - June, 2026
Dates: January 17 & 18,
February 14 & 15, May 16 &17,
and June 13, 2026
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Join a small group of experienced and highly motivated trackers for a wildlife tracking intensive spanning winter and late spring. Programs take place in various locations in western Massachusetts (mainly) and southern Vermont (possibly) in both winter and late spring months. Participants will become more proficient with their identification and interpretation of tracks and sign of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, deepen their understanding of animal locomotion and track patterns and receive guidance with independent learning projects.
This course is geared to adult trackers who have devoted considerable dirt time and study toward the honing of their tracking skill set and who wish to continue to deepen and broaden their knowledge and interpretive abilities as wildlife trackers. All genders welcome.​
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Cost: $825.
Early bird discount of $750 if registered and paid in full by November 15, 2025. Deposit of $150 required to hold a space in the program with the remainder due by December 15, 2025.
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2026 is FULL! Contact Kathy if you are interested in joining the 2027 Tracking to a New Level Intensive or with any questions. ​​​
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ANIMAL TRACKING
PROGRAMS & TRIPS
Summer Tracking Day
July 18, 2026, 9am - 3:30pm
(Rain date: July 19)
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The summer season for wildlife tracking can take us to many different types of habitats, including along river banks, across sand plains and even along silt-covered roads of agricultural fields or puddle-laden dirt roads. These are places we will consider in our quest to find tracks and other sign that animals leave in their wake, and to weave together the fascinating stories of their lives, In addition to identifying tracks and trail patterns of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, we will be paying attention to many other features of the landscape which reveal the presence of animal's lifeways. All adults and all levels are welcome. Note that group size is limited.
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Cost: $135 (true cost)
Sliding scale: $110 (accessible rate) to $160 (supporter rate)
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Location: Within a 30-minute radius of Greenfield, Massachusetts
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Contact Kathy Dean if you are interested in joining or with any questions. A registration form will be sent upon request.​
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2027 Winter Tracking Days
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Dates TBD...stay tuned!​
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BIRDING BY EAR & SKULL ID WORKSHOPS
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Birding by Ear Workshops
May 2, ​2026, 8am - 11:00am​
in Ashfield, MA​
May 30, 2026, 8am - 11:00am
in Putney, VT
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Have you ever wondered who is singing those love songs in the tree canopy, discreetly building a nest in your backyard, or scolding potential predators who have ventured too close for comfort? In this workshop we will be attuning our sense of hearing to the songs and calls of birds and what they are communicating with each other. Combining observation of birds’ vocalizations, behavior and movement patterns, we can deepen our understanding of the language of birds and what they have to teach us about the natural world. Come prepared to identify several different species by their songs and calls, and to gain deeper insight into the natural world through bird behavior and their language. All adults and all levels are welcome.​
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Visit Vermont Wilderness School for more information or to register for either or both of these workshops.
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Boning up on Mammal Skulls Workshop
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​In this hands-on workshop, we begin with a discussion of skull anatomy and topography and how those aspects relate to animals’ natural history including their sensory adaptations and behavioral tendencies. Participants are then then guided in seeking out the identity of skulls using their newfound skull “tracking” skills. Multiple species of mammal skulls will be on hand as well as some reference materials. People are also encouraged to bring mammal skulls from their own collections if they choose.​
Contact Kathy Dean if you are interested in scheduling a mammal skulls workshop in central New England.
NATURE WALKS & WILDLIFE SURVEYS
Nature Walks & Programs
Kathy Dean is available for custom-tailored wildlife tracking, birding and nature awareness programs or walks with small groups or individuals within the regions of western Massachusetts or southern Vermont. She is also available for monthly or quarterly one-on-one nature mentoring.
Kathy's strongest areas of interest and expertise relate to wildlife tracking, mammal behavior and bird language as well as to the myriad connections and interactions between local fauna and flora. As an avid and passionate naturalist, she is devoted to deepening her own as well as others' ecological literacy and relationality with the more than human world.
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Wildlife Surveys
If you are interested in learning more about who your wild neighbors are and where on the landscape you are more likely to find sign of their presence, Kathy is available to visit your land anytime over the course of a year to undertake surveys of animal tracks and sign as well as to document which resident and migratory birds are present in your area. And if you are keen on setting out trail cameras or camera traps to capture photos or video footage of wildlife, she is available to guide you in locating potential hot spots for animal activity. Kathy's insatiable curiosity about the natural world combined with her depth of understanding of animal behavior are key to optimizing opportunities for viewing and appreciating the myriad lifeways and interrelationships of wild animals on the landscape.
Fees for the above offerings are based on length of sessions, group sizes and potential locations. A fee structure will be sent upon request.
Contact Kathy to discuss your interests, any questions you may have or to schedule time to meet in person.