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"What remains of our native forest in the eastern United States provides us with the world’s last chance to save a significant representative of one of the earth’s primary vegetative communities."

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A School for Forest Literacy
What are people saying?
"This was one of the best courses I have ever taken. I learned great things and met wonderful people and I still get a sense of the peace I felt when I was there." -Leah, 2011 graduate of Trees of the Eastern Forest

The Appalachian Forest School sponsors continuing education nature courses for professional naturalists and amateurs alike throughout the heartland of the temperate broadleaf forest of eastern North America and its farthest fringes. Through its non-profit mission of nature education, the Appalachian Forest School offers intensive field trips, workshops, and courses on the natural history and the world significance of this important and imperiled biome.

This is not your typical eco-tourism or adventure travel: the Appalachian Forest School allows you to gain a holistic understanding of the eastern temperate forest - in all of its beautiful expressions! All courses are lead by experts, and focus on learning in the field, surrounded by nature. Excellent lodging and meals are provided for each course.


Nature Course Calendar for 2012-2013
Choose a program for more details.

Prairie Warbler

Eastern Birds by Song
Breeding Birds of the Appalachian Heartland: June 4-8, 2012

  • Bird identification by sight and song for beginning and intermediate learners.
  • Learn in the field with an expert naturalist.
  • A holistic look at birds and their habitats.
  • If you already know the common birds, you will be able to leave this course with a mastery of the more difficult ones.

 
Border Lakes - Photo by Chris Williams

Forests of the Far North
The Border Lakes of Ely, Minnesota: July 14-21, 2012

We will be studying the ecology of the North Woods in the Border Lakes region, lead by a team of the finest expert naturalists and educators in the state.

Learn the ecology of the North Woods, identify the primary conifers and broad-leafed trees. Explore the natural history and inhabitants of floating sphagnum mats and black spruce bogs. Learn lichens where they grow in their highest biodiversity. Study dragonflies and learn the common warblers by sight and sound.

 
Wood-Fern

Ferns and Fern Allies of the Forest Heartland
Fern Identification: July 30-August 3, 2012

  • Become acquainted with the recognition, ecological niches, and natural history of approximately 50 ferns and fern allies native to the Eastern Forest heartland.
  • Permanently learn to identify 25-30 species new to the student’s knowledge base that they possessed coming into the course.

 
Healthy Eastern Forest - Arc of Appalachia

Trees of the Eastern Forest
Tree Identification, Natural History & Succession: August 20-24, 2012

  • Easily learn the 45 most common trees in the eastern United States.
  • Innovative learning strategy taught in the field by an expert naturalist.
  • Learn to read the forest; the secrets of tree assemblages and forest communities.
  • Identify trees not only by leaves, but by habitat, crown, bark and bud.
  • Learn at your own pace - excellent for beginners as well as more advanced.

 
Adirondack Trip

Eastern Wilderness - the Adirondacks
September 30 - October 7, 2012

  • Explore the mountains and lakes of the Adirondacks.
  • The diversity and beauty of wetland ecosystems and their importance in the Adirondack region.
  • The study of natural communities, from the lakeshore to the sub-alpine, with emphasis on the influence of mountains and human disturbance.
  • Learn to identify the primary tree species of the Adirondacks, moss identification, ecology, and ethno-botany.
 
Spicebush Swallowtail - Photo by John Howard

Butterflies of the Forest Heartland
Holistic Butterfly Identification: 2013 Dates to be Announced

  • Learn to identify 25-30 species of butterflies in the field through binoculars.
  • Identify butterflies on the wing by sight.
  • Identify caterpillars and learn where to find them.
  • Get help and special training with the look-alike species.
  • Be guided by an expert field naturalist, collect scores of ecological stories.
  • Learn about the habitats and host plants of butterflies as a way to help with identification.


Who Should Attend the Forest School?

Appalachian Forest School courses are appropriate continuing education for all adults - there are no education or background prerequisites. Teachers of all levels, naturalists both professional and amateur, park and preserve staff, conservationalists, specialists in nature interpretation, college students - anyone who would benefit from understanding the forest as a whole system - will gain from attending the Appalachian Forest School.