Naturalist Immersion 2023-24

Service Description

Activities and locations are subject be shifted around based on weather, especially in the cold months. SEPTEMBER Introduction: Nature Awareness, Ecological Identity, Sagebrush Steppe We'll get to know one another and get a unique introduction to the world around us. This weekend will be a balance of sensory activities, nature awareness practices, and a sensory and intellectual "tour" of our other-than-human neighbors. Students will get a taste of all the topics we'll cover in the coming months. OCTOBER Plants and Plant Families An introduction to plants and their families. Finding patterns in plant characteristics to help you be able to ID a plants' family, anywhere in North America. NOVEMBER Birding 101 Get to know local birds through studying their sounds, movements, and feathers. Learn how their sounds and movements indicate what is going on in the surrounding landscape. DECEMBER Osteology Learn about animal tracking, morphology and anatomy through studying their "final tracks": bones and skulls. JANUARY Mountain Ecology & Winter Studies Learn about the nature that abounds in winter! We'll focus on winter animals, winter tracking, and useful plants in winter time. We'll make a master list of all the species we observe that day. FEBRUARY Ethnobotany How have humans connected to plants worldwide, since time immemorial? Ethnobotany plant walk and plant medicine. MARCH Wildlife Tracking This month, we'll focus on wildlife tracking. We will learn about animal tracks, sign, foot morphology, gaits, and more in Central Oregon. APRIL (Optional overnight) Geology + Nauralist Walk We'll take our studies out to the Painted Hills area to learn about this unique landscape, including its deep history and its endless ethnobotanical opportunities. It's also a wonderful place to view new birds and plants that emerge in the spring time. This walk will combine all the topics we've already visited together as a class, and adding geology and more deserty plants. Students are welcome to camp together at a nearby campground, as well, if their schedule allows. If weather allows, a Sunday AM optional basketry class will be offered to those who camped and are interested. MAY Spring Naturalist Hike: Plants, Insects, Wild Edibles and more! We'll visit the hilly ecosystem just east of Prineville, OR and see its different plants, trees, flowers, birds, rocks, insects and more! This walk will combine all

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy: *Please understand that our programs are small groups and we invest a lot of our resources into outreach to fill them. When you sign up, you and the rest of those who are registered become the specific group of people to which our instructors tailor the program, including group size and specific needs. If you aren't sure you can attend your program, please wait to sign up until you know you are able! Please refrain from registering with the prior intent to switch enrollment to other courses, cancel later, etc. * Refunds are not typical. If you, the PARTICIPANT, CANCEL: We can offer credit for future programs if your space can be filled. If you contact us to cancel your spot, we'll reopen it and if it fills you'll then receive a coupon code for part of your tuition (minus processing fees, cancellation fee, etc.) to use in the future. You will not receive a credit or a refund if you miss part or all of your program, your space does not fill after you cancel, you no-call-no-show, etc. If you decide to gift/swap your space to a friend because you can no longer attend, great! Please communicate with us before the program so we can contact them with pertinent needs/info. "OOPS" Refund: If you registered by mistake, you may contact us via email WITHIN 24 HRS AFTER REGISTRATION AND AT LEAST 48 HRS BEFORE THE PROGRAM to request a refund. We will not honor "oops" refund requests outside of this timeframe. ​ If NIGHTHAWK CANCELS an entire program (not typical), due to extenuating circumstances: You'll be contacted ASAP and offered credit or refund, situation depending, if rescheduling isn't possible. We do not offer refund or credits if we have to call a late start, early pickup, or partial course cancellation due to air quality or weather. See below. ​ Inclement weather and Air Quality Policy: Know that we do our best to run programs as safely as possible given inclement weather. These calls are made on a day-by-day basis and your main contacts will be notified of any changes by 2 hours before the start of that day's programming. That is the absolute best we can do. Weather, especially air quality, is unpredictable. We reserve the right to shift the day's program location, operate indoors, or call late start or early pickup based on unsafe conditions. We very seldomly cancel a day of program and only do so if none of these other shifts are possible that day. See more details on policy page.

Contact Details