International education and research in ecology and conservation, wildlife tracking, and human culture
Programs and Services we offer:
We offer Distance Learning Courses in online, correspondence, and hybrid formats. Hybrid formats are combined with experiential (full body, full brain, immersion experience) programs in-the-field. Online and correspondence courses can be taken as stand-alone components, but are also more effective when combined with educational programs that occur in-the-field to create a richer and deeper understanding of the subject material.
We have a website with a dedicated Learning Management System for online courses at TrackerMentoring.com.
In-the-field, Experiential Education Programs are co-designed with the faculty leader of your group. We provide the baseline information and experience rooted in ecology and culture, and incorporate specific activities and experiences within the faculty leader’s speciality. We offer these across Africa, depending on your group’s interest and budget.
We welcome inquiries from Scientists and Researchers seeking a dynamic natural environment for their projects. We offer support for undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral research, especially in projects collecting track-based data, or seeking to use skilled trackers in data collection. Our rates are flexible and depend on the level of support required for your project. Please feel free to send us an outline or proposal, and we will assess how we can assist you in achieving your research goals.
We also offer Adventure Programs for people who are not trackers, teachers, or students – although we guarantee you will learn a lot about Africa, tracking, and African ecology while you are with us. These are usually small groups and are custom designed to the group’s area of interest, whether that be in Africa, India, South America, the USA, or elsewhere. If you would like to arrange an adventure program for yourself and 8 – 16 friends or family members.
Wildlife ecology and conservation are inseparable from Human Culture. Incorporated into all of our programs are visits to natural sites and historical sites, and many of our venues include rock art or Iron Age areas, as part of our human heritage. We support organizations that provide good quality products and benefit local communities, those in need, and those with a good conservation ethic. We attempt to raise sensitivity to political, environmental, and social climates, and support human rights, labour and empowerment policies and laws.
We offer a few different types of Tracker Programs. First, some are strictly short-term courses on Track and Sign Identification, others are strictly Trailing, and still others are a longer-term combination of both the aforementioned, mixed with a healthy dose of animal behavioural observation. We regularly schedule such courses, according to demand. Please contact us for our current prices and schedule, or if you’d like to arrange a tracking-focused program for yourself and up to 8 friends or family members.
We also offer personalized Tracker Mentoring on a case-by-case basis, and are hired to present at conferences and workshops on a wide variety of subjects.
Almost all of our programs include a CyberTracker tracking assessment. CyberTracker is the international gold-standard for certifying wildlife trackers.
Visit our CALENDAR to see what’s coming up.
We frequently have programs running that you won’t see advertised, because they are for private groups. Our time is limited but we are always looking to expand our portfolio in meaningful work. It is important to us that we are a “good fit” for your program. What this means is that we are interested in real learning and real experiences that help to shape or reshape the ways that people think about themselves, others (human and non-human), and the land.
Please visit our NEWSletter to read about past programs and services. Subscribe to our NEWSletter if you want to keep updated with our latest programs and interesting discoveries in ecology and conservation, wildlife tracking and human culture. When you subscribe, you’ll receive a link to download our FREE 30 page booklet, “Recommended tracking books and resources for Southern Africa, North America, and Europe.”
Contact us for more information.
A tracker in South Africa gently touches a young leopard tortoise, photo by Kersey Lawrence.
One hundred percent of donations made in Brandon’s name are set aside to help provide for a high school or college student to travel to South Africa to participate in an Original Wisdom program. The student must have a strong passion for photography and/or wildlife tracking and be a part of a program or class that is learning about and working towards conservation.