OFFERINGS
WILDLIFE TRACKING INTENSIVES
Women's Wildlife Tracking Intensive 2025
January - June, 2025
Dates: January 11, February 1, March 8, April 26, May 24 and June 21 (note that Sundays of the same weekends are back-up weather dates)
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Variety of locations within 30 minutes of Greenfield, Mass
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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 both winter and summer months. Participants will become more proficient with their identification of track and sign of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, learn to recognize and understand animal gaits and track patterns, and be 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 $625 if registered and paid in full by November 1, 2024. Deposit of $150 required to hold a space in the program with the remainder due by December 1, 2024.
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2025 intensive is FULL. Contact Kathy if interested in joining the 2026 Women's Tracking Intensive. Dates TBD.
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Tracking to a New Level: Wildlife Tracking Intensive for Experienced Trackers
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2025 Dates: January 18 & 19,
February 22 & 23, May 17 &18 and June 14, 2025
Variety of locations within 30 minutes of Greenfield, Mass
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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 track 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 $725 if registered and paid in full by November 1, 2024. Deposit of $150 required to hold a space in the program with the remainder due by December 1, 2024.
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2025 intensive is FULL. Contact Kathy if interested in joining the 2026 Tracking to a New Level Intensive. Dates TBD.
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ANIMAL TRACKING
PROGRAMS & TRIPS
Summer Tracking Day
July 19, 2025, 9am - 3:30pm
(Raindate: July 20)
Location within 30 minutes of Greenfield, Massachusetts
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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.
Cost: $135 (early bird discount of $110 if registered by June 1st)
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Contact Kathy for more information or to register for this workshop. Note that group size is limited.
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Track & Sign Certification for Women
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May 10 & 11, 2025
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Locations within 30 minutes of Greenfield, MA
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Evaluator Daniel Hansche (they/them) of Spur Wander will be assisted in the field by Kathy Dean of Trotting Fox Programs. Our intention is to create a positive experience for female-identifying trackers by creating this affinity space.
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In this highly educational workshop, participants will have the opportunity to be certified in Track & Sign through CyberTracker Conservation.
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​Cost is $365 online or $350 by check. For more information or to register, visit Tracker Certification.
BIRDING BY EAR & SKULL ID WORKSHOPS
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Birding by Ear Workshops
May 3rd, 2025, 8am - 11am
​Location: Ashfield, MA
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May 31st, 2025, 8am - 11am
Location: 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,
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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 how that relates to animals’ natural history including their sensory adaptations and behavioral tendencies. Participants are 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 animal skulls from their own collections if they choose.​
Contact Kathy if interested in scheduling a mammal skulls workshop in central New England.
NATURE WALKS & WILDLIFE SURVEYS
Nature Walks & Programs
Kathy 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 one-on-one nature mentoring. Her areas of interest and expertise include wildlife track and sign, mammal behavior and bird language as well as the interconnections between local flora and fauna. She is also keenly interested in trees, shrubs, ferns, edible and medicinal mushrooms, edible and medicinal plants and well, every element and interrelationship of the natural 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 living their lives, 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.