This class will be a philosophical and experiential exploration of connecting to the land through group activities, learning some methodical practices and observation skills, fuller use of our senses and empathy, and gaining more ecological knowledge. We will discuss the deep societal misperceptions that keep us disconnected from Nature, ways to get grounded and better connected, dig into some rich local learning from the land (including problem solving and understanding what we are seeing in the wilds), and discuss and work with some practices that can rewire us to the land and open us up to deeper understanding and connection to place. Parts of this class will be indoors and discussion-based, and parts will be spent outdoors observing and using some activities to get comfortable, grounded, and opened up to direct and enlivening experiences with the living landscape of the Driftless.
Date: Saturday, November 16
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Lunch will be provided.
Ages: 12+
Location: La Farge, WI
Instructions: Please dress warmly and appropriately for the weather conditions. A comfortable seat that can be carried some distance is encouraged, like a sitting mat, folding stool, or folding camp chair. If it is very cold, bringing a wool blanket is recommended.
Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines (not including Materials Fees)
Supporter Level Ticket: $130
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: $105
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: $80
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