Become a better naturalist through this One-Day Track & Sign Certification, organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and led by Daniel Hansche, founder of Spur Wander and an evaluator with Tracker Certification.

This one-day evaluation will provide an excellent springboard to practice and apply fundamental tracking skills. Learn to recognize tracks of mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates on your landscape and interpret animal movement and behavior. This explorative practice reveals a hidden world of wildlife sign and develops the ability to find subtle evidence of animal presence. In short, this skill set facilitates knowledge on a remarkable variety of life in an ecosystem.

Tracker Certification North America & CyberTracker Conservation – Tracker Certification North America (TCNA) educates trackers of all skill levels and, through the CyberTracker Conservation Certification process, ensures reliable observations from professionals and community scientists alike. Using these skills to measure landscape health, CyberTracker Conservation’s mission is to create a worldwide environmental monitoring network.

Daniel Hansche, founder of Spur Wander and an evaluator with Tracker Certification, brings a unique perspective to the practice of wildlife tracking. From over 25 years of experience in various forms, including education, field research, and certification, Daniel will offer insights, reflection, and inspiration. Whether your interest is of sheer curiosity or that of the hobbyist, naturalist, or professional, our exploration of tracking will be dynamic and engaging for all.

DATE: Wednesday, October 30

TIME: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

LOCATION: October Mountain State Forest, near Washington, MA

COST: $150* – Space is limited. Reserve your spot and register here. 

TCNA has financial aid available to support participants in attending certifications. The next application review date is in mid-late June, with applications due by June 15. Later applications may be considered if received by Sept 15, pending availability of funds. More information and an application are available at this link: https://trackercertification.com/financial-access/ 

*BEAT is proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program, in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Public Health’s WIC Nutrition Program, the Massachusetts Health Connector, and hundreds of organizations by making cultural programming accessible to those for whom cost is a participation barrier. For any of our programs that are not free, BEAT offers a 50-100% discount based on financial need. Most of our programs are offered for free. Donations are always welcome!  See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.