Natural History Courses and Nature Retreats 

 

2026

INTERPRETING BIRD BEHAVIOR
March 28, 2026

Birds are constantly communicating about what's happening in the environment through behavior and vocalizations. You, too, can learn the ancient skill of interpreting the voices and movements of birds!

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COUGARS OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA: A WEEKEND INTENSIVE
June 13 and 14, 2026

Explore the hidden world of the Peninsula’s apex predator in this two-day introductory field course led by the Olympic Cougar Project’s Andrew Stratton. Through hands-on tracking, field outings, and practical tools for coexistence, you'll gain a grounded understanding of cougar ecology, behavior, and the challenges these animals face in a changing landscape.

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INTRO TO PACIFIC NORTHWEST MUSHROOMS
October 24, 2026

Explore the ecology and diversity of Pacific Northwest mushrooms as you learn to identify common species and the habitats they thrive in. With hands-on guidance, you’ll build the skills you need to forage safely and sustainably.

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This CedarRoot class was like meeting friends I didn’t know I had. Spending time with a small group of people eager to learn about the forest around us and spend the day moving at the pace that fit the moment; I can’t say enough positive things about the experience. We discussed a variety of topics in addition to plant identification, and learned much more about said plants than simply their names (including genealogy, some forest and geology, bird call identification). I’m eager to take another class.
— Happy PNW Plant Walk participant