Join Tin Mountain for an all-inclusive series on the mammals of Tin Mountain’s 140-acre Rockwell Sanctuary.  As a follow up to this summer and fall’s Herbarium Project, various wildlife and tracking specialists from throughout the state will provide the skills and knowledge necessary for surveying the mammal population of the property.  From tracking and signs, to furs and skulls, to wildlife habitat, individual sessions will combine both outdoor field time and instructive classroom meetings.

December’s Mammal Project sessions will focus on Tracking & Animal Signs. Not sure who’s been bounding through your backyard? Unidentified scat got you stumped? Tuesday, December 7th (6-9pm) classroom session is scheduled just in time for the snowy season.  Whether you use the class as a seasonal refresher or are hearing the information for the first time, Tin Mountain hopes to see you there.  The sessions will cover the major track patterns, straddle and stride, as well as scat identification, scratches and browsing signs.  Participants will also investigate mammalian skulls and learn the six key characteristics used in identification.  The field session on Saturday, December 18th (10-3pm) will allow hands-on application of the skills covered in the classroom session, exploring the 140-acre Rockwell Sanctuary for signs of recent animal activity.

 

 

While participants are encouraged to attend all 10 sessions over the five month period, people are also welcome to attend individual programs.  The Mammal Project will run the first Tuesday (6-9pm) and third Saturday (10-3pm) each month November through March.  Each month will have a specific focus, but also take into account current mammal activity on the property.  

 

Monthly Focuses:

November – Preparing for Winter

December – Tracking and Animal Signs

January – Ungulates, Bears, Hares, & More (Chris Lewey)

February – Rodents & Weasels (Rick Van de Poll)

March – Canines & Felines   

 

Mammal Project runs the first Tuesday (6-9pm) and third Saturday (10-3pm) of the month, November-March.

 

Tuesday Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan 4, Feb 1, & Mar 1

Saturday Nov 20, Dec 18, Jan 15, Feb 19, & Mar 12*

 

* March date changed due to a scheduling conflict. 

 

 

Tuition: $15/member, $20/non-member per session or pre-register for all 10 courses – $120/member, $160/non-member.  Participants in the Naturalist Certification Program must attend a minimum of five sessions to fulfill the animal requirement.

 

 

  For more information or to sign up for individual or all sessions call 447-6991 or email Nora at nbeem@tinmountain.org.