Alderleaf Blog Has Moved!

Thanks for following us on this page. We're now blogging on our main site, here: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/survival-school-blog.html

April eNews - Open House, Bamboo Propagation, and Upcoming Courses

In this issue...

1.) Open House at Alderleaf Wilderness College!
Join us to find out more about the curriculum offered at Alderleaf Wilderness College on May 29th...

2.) Feature Article: Bamboo Propagation
Bamboo is one of the most useful plants in the world. Learn about a low cost way to propagate a stand...

3.) 2016 Course Dates
Registration is open for all 2016 classes. Check out what's coming up on the course calendar... 

http://www.wildernesscollege.com/Alderleaf_eNewsletter-April-2016.html

The Monkey Puzzle Tree

(New permaculture article on the Alderleaf website!)

By Chris Byrd

Monkey puzzle trees are becoming an increasing part of the suburban landscape in the Pacific Northwest. People often plant these South American natives for their unique appearance and ability to grow with minimal upkeep in our cool, maritime climate. However, most people remain unaware of their potential for home-scale permaculture as a food source, nor realize the great significance this species has in its native range... Continue Reading

Reptile & Amphibian Tracking and More!

Learn about our new Reptile & Amphibian Tracking Course with field guide author, Filip Tkaczyk; and other recent news: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/Alderleaf_eNewsletter-November-2015.html

Field Guide and Book Project Connections!

Learn about some of the amazing field guides and book projects that various guest teachers and Alderleaf staff have been involved with! http://www.wildernesscollege.com/book-project-connections.html

Alderleaf's May 2015 eNewsletter

See recent highlights from the Alderleaf Wilderness Certification Program, read about the Pros & Cons of Survival Fire Starters, and learn about Upcoming Courses: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/Alderleaf_eNewsletter-May-2015.html

New Slideshow! Creating the Alderleaf Campus

Before and after photos showing how we transformed an average rural property into the Alderleaf Campus using a permaculture approach!

New Article: Primitive Fire-Making Tips for the Pacific Northwest

by Gabe Garms

They say that if you can succeed with a bow drill fire in the winter months in the Pacific Northwest, then you can succeed at it almost anywhere else in the world. Winters here are extremely wet, making finding and prepping material for a friction fire an incredibly difficult task. But fear not, I'll walk you through the process...Continue reading.

Become a Wildlife Tracker!

Space is available in our upcoming Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship which begins Sept 13th: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/wildlife-tracking-apprenticeship.html. 

Here's what one of last year's students had to say about it: 

"Being a part of Alderleaf's tracking apprenticeship was a great experience. The course provided a terrific opportunity to get out in the field all around the Northwest with amazing instructors and wonderful students all of whom care about and take in all the incredible environments we visited. We were gifted with so many unique experiences on our trips, the wildlife and the land itself giving us unforgettable shared moments and providing us with learning and teaching moments. If I could take this course each and every year, I would. Each trip is so one of a kind and the tracks and sign we find are always unique to that moment in time that the course would always be new and fresh." 
 -Kristian Boose, Tracking Apprenticeship graduate

Survival Shows: Entertainment vs Reality

By Gabe Garms

I’m happy that wilderness survival is getting more and more attention in the media. However, I’ve noticed that there is a  discrepancy between how a survival situation is being portrayed by television survival shows and how a real survival situation actually unfolds. Continue reading: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/survival-shows.html

How to Grow a Garden Using Permaculture Principles

This is an excellent time of year to work on creating a beautiful and bountiful garden.  Learn how to design your garden using natural systems: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/how-to-grow-a-garden.html

Alderleaf's May eNewsletter is up!

Check out Alderleaf's May eNewsletter - Stinging Nettle Tea, Recent Highlights, and Upcoming Courses: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/Alderleaf_eNewsletter-May-2014.html

Tracking Evaluations 2014

Here are some highlights from the students amazing experience going through the CyberTracker Tracking Evaluations.  We are very proud of their success and their willingness to keep learning...

Read more here: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/tracking-evaluations-week-27-2014.html

Antiviral Herbs

Did you know that some medicinal plants have antiviral properties?  Read more about the top 10 antiviral herbs here:

http://www.wildernesscollege.com/antiviral-herbs.html

Making Bows and Arrows

Check out our recent class on making bows and arrows out of local wood.  Students made their own bows and arrows, and also learned to shoot instinctively:

http://www.wildernesscollege.com/survival-bow-making-week-20-2014.html

Alderleaf Winter Trip January 2014 Part 1

Alderleaf Wilderness Certification Program students just returned from an epic week long adventure in the cold and snow of the north-central part of Washington state known as the Okanogan.

Here students had an opportunity to their winter time survival skills.  Read more about it here: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/winter-field-trip-week-18-2014.html

Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship - January 2014

Check out highlights from January's Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship weekend: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/wildlife-tracking-apprenticeship-week-4-2014.html

AWCP Week 14 - Survival and Permculture

Week 14 was packed with all kinds of activities including skills in wilderness survival skills such as traps, snares and cordage.  This week, permaculture design also included grafting, building bat boxes and presentations of students' personal projects.

Read more here: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/survival-and-permaculture-week-14-2014.html

Advanced Fire Skills and More: Weeks 12 & 13 2013

Check out highlights from December in the Wilderness Certification Program: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/advanced-fire-skills-week-12-and-13-2013.html

Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship: Shrub-Steppe Species

The Alderleaf wildlife tracking apprenticeship had amazing adventures tracking the wildlife species of the shrub-steppe habitat of central Washington state.  They even helped rescue a trapped bobcat!  Read more about their adventures, here: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/tracking-apprenticeship-week-3.html

Flintknapping Course Added to the 2014 Schedule!

Join expert flintknapper / special guest teacher, Dan Stueber, to learn the ancient skill of flintknapping! In this hands on class students will be guided through the process of making spear points, arrow points, knives, and a variety of other stone tools.

This new addition to the schedule is sure to fill early. Check out the Flintknapping Course page to learn more and register.

New Alderleaf Alumni Page!

Check out how 21 of our amazing alumni are using their Alderleaf education! http://www.wildernesscollege.com/alderleaf-alumni.html

Week 10 & 11

Two more exciting weeks of the Alderleaf Wilderness Certification Program have just been completed.  Week 10 included studies in bird language and winter tree identification.

Week 11 included 3 days of intensive permaculture study, including how to use an A-Frame level for measuring contours on your land.

Read more here: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/tree-id-and-bird-language-week-10-and-11-2013.html

How to make a Tincture

Ever wondered how to make your own medicinal tinctures?  Check out this new instructional article by Alderleaf instructor, Georgie Lilgreen: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/how-to-make-a-tincture.html

Week 8 & 9 of the Certification Program

Students of the Alderleaf Wilderness Certification Program learned flintknapping and how to make stone tools during week 8.  During week 9 they were introduced to the principles and practices of permaculture.  Read the update here: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/flint-knapping-and-permaculture-weeks-8-and-9-2013.html