Tracking and Awareness
Through tracking animals and increasing our awareness of the environment, we increase both our knowledge and sense of place. There are so many great animal tracking opportunities in the Portland area, so much that we focus on niche aspects of tracking, such as pressure release study, and integrating sign-language with tracking for silence in the field. Check out our tracking programs below, and our list of other places to learn tracking in the Portland area.
ASL Tracking
Pressure Release Study Group
American Sign-Language for Animal Tracking
One of the easiest and most obvious ways to experience more wildlife and more “nature” is to simply be silent. Which is easy to do when you’re alone. But when you’re with a friend, it can be extremely difficult to not “wow!” aloud at the birds, animals, and plants, all around you. Coincidentally, American Sign Language is probably the richest form for talking about the visual world around – an ecstatic linguistic world of color, shape, movement, and relationships. And it is an almost completely silent language. Imagine being able to share your discoveries, express your insights, and stay immersed in a natural world that fears the human voice. Come join us on a rich journey through ASL and Nature Observation!
Immersion Intro to Outdoor ASL
Except for a brief intro, we will spend the entire session silent, tracking animals and observing nature, without speaking out loud, immersed in ASL. This may be difficult for some folks – consider carefully whether or not this is the right class for you. Children are welcome – the instructor will set up special agreements with parents so that you can balance child care with the silent immersion. You may be surprised at how naturally ASL comes to you! |
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Sunday, June 8th 2014
10am – noon
$10-20 suggested donation
Kelley Point Park
Join instructor Willem Larsen for an outdoor class in communicating the signs of nature silently through ASL. You’ll learn some basic ASL while learning about the natural world. |
Pressure Release Study Group
Sherlock Holmes, Forensic Tracking, And The Science of “Pressure Releases”:
A monthly study group facilitated by Willem Larsen
Thanks to well-known tracker Tom Brown, Jr., we have the opportunity to carry on the lineage of an amazing aspect of tracking few have even heard of – the science of “pressure releases”. Tom Brown tells us that tracks are tiny landscapes, and the topography of these grand miniature worlds communicates volumes about the maker’s self – not just their physical features, weight, height, and so on, but also their sex, emotion, intent, injuries (old and new), hunger, thirst, and a countless other qualities.
Along with reading pressure releases in the track, we will be exploring reading them across any surface – in forest debris, grass, dry sand, hard rock, and so on.
Willem Larsen will lead this monthly study-group in moving through the different experiments outlined in Brown’s book. This is not a class per se, but a chance for those passionate about this “Sherlock Holmes” side of tracking to support each other practicing and moving through this challenging material.
Though applicable to all kinds of tracking – animals, vehicles, whatever – we will mostly focus on the bare human footprint and the tracks it leaves.
Required text for this course is Tom Brown’s book, “The Science and Art of Tracking”.
Each class is $15 each, or $130 for the 12-month series ($50 off). A few work-trade slots are available – ask for more information. Last Sunday of every month, from 1pm to 4pm.
For more information see the study group blog, http://willemlarsen.tumblr.com.
Dates:
11/30/2014,
12/28/2015,
1/31/2015,
2/28/2015,
3/29/2015,
4/26/2015,
5/31/2015,
6/28/2015,
7/26/2015,
8/30/2015,
9/27/2015,
10/25/2015.
For location details, please RSVP:
Tracking and Awareness
Through tracking animals and increasing our awareness of the environment, we increase both our knowledge and sense of place. There are so many great animal tracking opportunities in the Portland area, so much that we focus on niche aspects of tracking, such as pressure release study, and integrating sign-language with tracking for silence in the field. Check out our tracking programs below, and our list of other places to learn tracking in the Portland area.
ASL Tracking
Pressure Release Study Group
American Sign-Language for Animal Tracking
One of the easiest and most obvious ways to experience more wildlife and more “nature” is to simply be silent. Which is easy to do when you’re alone. But when you’re with a friend, it can be extremely difficult to not “wow!” aloud at the birds, animals, and plants, all around you. Coincidentally, American Sign Language is probably the richest form for talking about the visual world around – an ecstatic linguistic world of color, shape, movement, and relationships. And it is an almost completely silent language. Imagine being able to share your discoveries, express your insights, and stay immersed in a natural world that fears the human voice. Come join us on a rich journey through ASL and Nature Observation!
Immersion Intro to Outdoor ASL
Except for a brief intro, we will spend the entire session silent, tracking animals and observing nature, without speaking out loud, immersed in ASL. This may be difficult for some folks – consider carefully whether or not this is the right class for you. Children are welcome – the instructor will set up special agreements with parents so that you can balance child care with the silent immersion. You may be surprised at how naturally ASL comes to you!
10am – noon
$10-20 suggested donation
Kelley Point Park
Join instructor Willem Larsen for an outdoor class in communicating the signs of nature silently through ASL. You’ll learn some basic ASL while learning about the natural world.
Pressure Release Study Group
Sherlock Holmes, Forensic Tracking, And The Science of “Pressure Releases”:
A monthly study group facilitated by Willem Larsen
Thanks to well-known tracker Tom Brown, Jr., we have the opportunity to carry on the lineage of an amazing aspect of tracking few have even heard of – the science of “pressure releases”. Tom Brown tells us that tracks are tiny landscapes, and the topography of these grand miniature worlds communicates volumes about the maker’s self – not just their physical features, weight, height, and so on, but also their sex, emotion, intent, injuries (old and new), hunger, thirst, and a countless other qualities.
Along with reading pressure releases in the track, we will be exploring reading them across any surface – in forest debris, grass, dry sand, hard rock, and so on.
Willem Larsen will lead this monthly study-group in moving through the different experiments outlined in Brown’s book. This is not a class per se, but a chance for those passionate about this “Sherlock Holmes” side of tracking to support each other practicing and moving through this challenging material.
Though applicable to all kinds of tracking – animals, vehicles, whatever – we will mostly focus on the bare human footprint and the tracks it leaves.
Required text for this course is Tom Brown’s book, “The Science and Art of Tracking”.
Each class is $15 each, or $130 for the 12-month series ($50 off). A few work-trade slots are available – ask for more information. Last Sunday of every month, from 1pm to 4pm.
For more information see the study group blog, http://willemlarsen.tumblr.com.
Dates:
11/30/2014,
12/28/2015,
1/31/2015,
2/28/2015,
3/29/2015,
4/26/2015,
5/31/2015,
6/28/2015,
7/26/2015,
8/30/2015,
9/27/2015,
10/25/2015.
For location details, please RSVP:
Pressure Release Study Inquiry