94 ~ Some autumnal learning opportunities

A great teacher is defined not just by what they know, but by the demeanor and the skill with which they impart what they know. Nicholas WazeeGale, who lives with his family near Viola, WI, knows a lot, especially about the natural world, and he has a knack for sharing it with generosity, authenticity and humility.  In my decades of taking classes and workshops, he’s one of the great ones. I’ve roamed woods and fields for most of my life, and I still learn something new whenever I spend time with him.

A shining heads-up, dear readers, that Nicholas has two upcoming workshops through the Driftless Folk School (DFS), which might be of interest (I’ve registered for both myself).  I think both classes will meet at Nicholas’s place between Viola and La Farge (just east of Viroqua). 

The first is next weekend, a two-day workshop on reading animal tracks and signs - something for which Nicholas has a particular passion and thus talent. This will be full-on teaching and learning, and so a bit different from the tracking skills evaluation that expert tracker (and similarly excellent teacher) Matt Nelson facilitated at my house last March.  Something nice about DFS is that they offer a sliding fee scale. To learn more and to register, see here. 

Then, on October 7 he will lead a one-day class in fall foraging, with an emphasis on collecting and processing various wild nuts.  I’m feeling hungry… Details here.

It would be fun to see some of you there.  In the meantime, enjoy these glorious, burnished days of fall!

Nicholas, in his handmade raccoon coat (many of the skins from roadkills) and otter fur hat (note: the otter was accidentally taken in a beaver set).