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comparisonnusvscaa
Professional wilderness training

Connect Through Field Experiences

Our events bring together people who care about wildlife management, conservation ethics, and responsible outdoor practices. Whether you're looking to refine tracking skills or learn about habitat restoration, these gatherings offer real conversations with field professionals.

Scheduled for 2026

We're organizing several hands-on experiences next year. Each event focuses on practical skills and honest discussions about wildlife careers. Space is limited because we keep groups small.

14 March 2026

Spring Wildlife Tracking Workshop

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Spend two days learning field identification techniques from wildlife biologists. We'll cover track patterns, sign interpretation, and documentation methods used in actual research projects.

2 days Field-based
22 May 2026

Ethics in Conservation Careers

Online Discussion Series

Four evening sessions exploring the complicated decisions that come up in wildlife management work. Guest speakers include park rangers, conservation officers, and habitat specialists.

4 sessions Virtual
18 August 2026

Habitat Assessment Field Course

Appalachian Region

Three-day immersion in habitat evaluation techniques. You'll work alongside biologists conducting actual assessments and learn data collection methods used by state agencies.

3 days Hands-on

What We've Done Recently

November 2024

Career Pathways Panel Discussion

We hosted five professionals who each took different routes into wildlife careers. The conversation was candid—people talked about the hard parts, not just success stories. Attendees appreciated hearing about failed applications, career pivots, and the reality of seasonal work.

September 2024

Fall Field Skills Weekend

Twenty-two people joined us in western Maryland for two days of practical training. We covered GPS navigation, radio telemetry basics, and vegetation sampling. The weather wasn't great, which actually made it more realistic.

June 2024

Summer Conservation Networking

This was a casual gathering—no structured agenda. People working in different conservation roles just showed up to meet each other. Several attendees mentioned making connections that led to job referrals later.

March 2024

Intro to Wildlife Biology Workshop

Our first event of 2024 focused on foundational concepts for people considering career changes. We kept it accessible but didn't oversimplify the challenges of entering this field.

Event Impact Over Time

Since we started hosting these gatherings in 2023, we've kept them small and focused on quality interactions. Here's what that looks like in numbers.

38
Events Hosted
847
Total Participants
62
Industry Speakers
14
Field Locations

How to Register for Events

We open registration about three months before each event. Spots fill quickly because we cap attendance to maintain the quality of interaction. Here's how the process works.

  • 1
    Submit Interest Form Fill out a brief form telling us which event interests you and what you're hoping to get from it. This helps us match participants with appropriate experiences.
  • 2
    Review Event Details We'll send you specific information about location, schedule, required gear, and physical demands. Some events involve hiking or outdoor work in varying conditions.
  • 3
    Complete Registration Once you confirm the event works for you, we'll send registration instructions. Payment secures your spot. We offer partial refunds up to 30 days before the event date.
  • 4
    Pre-Event Preparation You'll receive preparatory materials two weeks before the event—background reading, packing lists, and logistical details. Come ready to participate actively.