Algonquin Winter Wildlife Tracking

Join White Pine Programs on it’s 13th Annual Winter Wildlife Tracking
trip to scenic & Wild Algonquin Provincial Park.

Over the past decade, White Pine Programs, a unique nature-based learning or-ganization from Maine, has developed a relationship with the Wildlife Research Station, a well-known field science facility located in the heart of Algonquin Park. As a result, we’re able to offer this unique educational expedition that focuses on wildlife tracking, winter ecology, and nature connection.

The goals of the trip are to immerse participants in a tracking culture. Each day, we scout for track & sign, make a plan, then track & trail wildlife all day in small groups. At the end of the day, we unwind, eat hearty meals, and share the story of the day, all the while making hypotheses as to the movements and interactions of the animals we track and trail.

Over the past 12 years, we’ve tracked & trailed: Eastern Wolf, American Mar-ten, Fisher, River Otter, Red Fox, Snowshoe Hare, Moose, White-Tailed Deer, Long and Short-Tailed Weasels, Mink, Ruffed Grouse, and more.
Topics Studied include: track identification, sign identification, trailing, trail interpretation, trail patterns vs. gaits, predictive trailing, winter birding, bird language, kill site analysis, and more.

Contribute to Science: Each year, we coordinate our efforts with those of various re-searchers in the park and serve as a data collection team- contributing to interesting studies. Past courses have collected data for studies on: Eastern Wolves, Moose, Fisher, Flying Squirrels, American Marten, & Gray Jays.
We only take 10 participants on this journey. Such small groups facilitate quality tracking time in the field and around the dinner table at night. The Staff is led by Dan Gardoqui and Alexis Burnett

Read the Reviews….
“This was a wonderful week. Small groups, excellent leader-ship, and exciting animal tracks wherever we looked. I could’ve stayed another week!” -2004 Participant
“Everyone was so supportive – the instructors & the group. It doesn’t matter where you are on your journey…beginner or experienced… you feel comfortable.” -2002 Participant
“The Algonquin Tracking trip is unbelievably rich with learning experi-ences – inside and out.” -2008 Participant


Register online http://www.whitepineprograms.org/get-involved/register/ or call 207-361-1911 today. There are only 10 spaces.
Dates: Sunday Feb. 19 - Friday, Feb. 24 2012
Cost: $695 USD (includes food, & lodging)
For more Details: Contact Dan Gardoqui dan@whitepineprograms.org

Edible Wilds and Medicinal Plants Class

June 9th - 12th

Presented by Earth Tracks

The plant world provides many gifts for us; Nutrition, Medicine, Utilitarian Uses, Natural Beauty & Guidance among others. It can be hard to know where to start when first learning how to work with the plants that surround us. In this class the student will learn how to penetrate the ‘wall of green’ and begin their own journey with the plants that surround us. We will focus on proper identification techniques, the use of field guides, drying, storing and preparation of these plants, medicinal properties as well as herbal tea making. The participant will gain practical hands on experience and come away from the program with an understanding of how to pursue future studies of wild edible and medicinal plants. These skills and techniques will help to deepen your relationship with the plant nation and provide a solid foundation on which to increase your knowledge.


This class will take place at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat
near Oxtongue lake next to Algonquin Park The cost of the program is $350 and includes 3 nights lodging, 3 dinners*, instruction and all materials.

Registration for this program will be done through Earth Tracks. We require a $100 deposit in order to secure your spot in the program. For more information please visit our website at http://www.earthtracks.ca/

For information on the Wolf Den and their facilities please visit their website at
http://www.wolfdenbunkhouse.com/

* We will supply 3 dinners. Participants are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch and snacks. Full kitchen facilities are available.

Wolf Den Green Building Workshop #1 - Stage Two - April 29th, 30th, May 1st

The Wolf Den is currently undertaking its first building project. We are building a very small, experimental building using recycled material and alternative building methods. The building purpose is to explore less impactful building options while re-using waste materials. From the ground up the building will consist of used car tires, local timber, straw bale, used windows and doors, used glass bottles and possibly a living roof. The building will be off the grid with day lighting and solar powered LED lights for night time. The eventual building design will evolve through the process allowing for learning along the way

Stage one – Site Preparation – Removal of a few small trees and root systems - hand shovelling a hole10’X10’ wide and 4’ deep to get below the frost line. COMPLETE Many thanks go out to Earth Steward Intern Stephen Fuller, and our 2 Irish helpers Rory Maguire, and Mark Bulling. They spent many hours digging the hard ground while being devoured by blackflies and mosquitoes

Stage two – Foundation – No Gym memberships required for this great full body work out! The dirt removed from the hole will be pounded into used car tires which are stacked like bricks to form the foundation walls in a design sometimes referred to as earthship or tire home. The days will not just be pounding tires. There will be routines of health, community and nature incorporated into the event, including sit spots, morning exercises and stretching, nature hikes, music and pot luck meals.

Cost: Just your labour, eagerness to learn and a fun attitude

What you get: Free accommodation at the Wolf Den for Friday and Saturday nights. Experience with tire home building (also can be used for retaining walls), good work out, free guided interpretive nature hike, free time with nature.

To Register: Please email Ben at wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com Space is limited to 6 people but we plan on running more workshops this summer.

Great Wilderness Clean up - May 14th

The Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat is proud to announce that once again we will be participating in the Great Wilderness Clean up.

On Saturday May 14th the Wolf Den, in partnership with Algonquin Outfitters will be forming The Wolf Pack to beautify interior sites in Algonquin Park. Participants will receive free day passes from Algonquin Park, free canoe rentals from Algonquin Outfitters, and ½ price accommodation from the Wolf Den. The event will begin on Friday night with organizing into groups and the distribution of gloves and bags. We will clean up all day Saturday, returning to the Wolf Den for a potluck supper and prizes provided by Algonquin Outfitters. This event is fun, social and extremely successful.

We will be keeping The Wolf Den group to a 30 person maximum for simplicity and effectiveness. Please contact The Wolf Den for further details.

Earth Steward Intern

Come to the edge of Algonquin Park and immerse yourself in natural learning, primitive and traditional wilderness & naturalist skills, organic gardening, sustainable energy projects, permaculture and ecotourism. The Wolf Den Hostel and Earth Mentorship Programs have teamed up to create this great internship position. You will have the chance to build your resume while learning a diverse range of transferable skills that promote resiliency & adaptability in a changing world and stewardship of the land.

Tasks with the Wolf Den:
- 1 hour of cleaning in Wolf Den lodge per day
- Landscaping and organic gardening
- Assisting in development and implementation of permaculture planning
- Develop and implement interpretive nature trail
- Learn about various task involved in the operations management of an
ecotourism business and outdoor education business
- Assist in log building maintenance and the construction of a rammed tire foundation
- Assist in building alternative energy sources (ie. Solar collector, solar dehydrator)
- Assist Lake Steward in lake water sampling, lake vegetation
inventory, local nature club


Benefits and Programs:
- Complete Wilderness Awareness school Kamana 1 Naturalist training program
- Tent site at the Wolf Den and garden space/sharing and use of all facilities
- Meet people from all over the world
- Use your time off to explore the wonders of the Algonquin region by
canoe, kayak, bike, hiking, and camping.
- A chance to also learn about wilderness living skills, bush craft and sustainable living.

Tasks with Earth Mentorship Programs:
- Wild crafting natural materials for upcoming workshops such as plants & friction fire kits
- Preparing demo pieces such as bow drill kits and containers (you will be
mentored in how to do this)
-Helping collect forest inventory and write sustainable management plans for land owners
- Helping mentor local youth at wilderness skills summer camps
- Helping build primitive living camp including birch bark lodge
- Helping implement permaculture and forest gardening plans
- Working in organic garden

Educational workshops you will get to attend:
- Empowering Ancient Ways: April 21 – May 1 or Sept 4 – 10
- Intro to friction fires & bird language – May 13th & 14th
- Edible & medicinal plants – June 9 – 12
- Staff training for kids wilderness camps (wilderness skills mentoring intensive)
- Several other opportunities will likely be available and discussed at beginning of internship
- Ongoing mentoring throughout summer in tracking, naturalist skills and primitive/survival skills

For More information on these workshops please see: http://www.earthmentorship.com

Work hours: 4 hours per day mid may through until the end of August
Position is unpaid but provides many benefits including career skill development and programs worth over $1000 plus accommodation

Please send applications to Ben Teskey at wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com by April 10th

Reading Week Special

Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend your school break? College and University Student special for this upcoming reading break of 25% off regular prices for students with valid student cards. Ski, snowshoe, hike, play some music, sweat it out in the sauna or even READ in our comfy lounge by the fireplace. If there is enough interest we are planning on running some survival and tracking workshops during this time as well. Inquire at wden@wolfdenbunkhouse.com Subject to availability!

Cheers, Ben
P.S. Please spread the word!

Wolf Den as a Wedding Venue

We received this nice review from a guest who thinks the Wolf Den would make a nice wedding venue. Please read http://jessicalinphoto.blogspot.com/2011/02/unique-wedding-venue-wolf-den-algonquin.html Thanks

Program - March Break Retreat

For Teachers, Parents, Educators &
Nature Lovers
March 15 - 18, 2010

Spend March Break relaxing in nature’s beauty, learning new skills to bring back to the classroom, to your day-to-day life, or to share with your children, while increasing your knowledge of the natural world.
Earth Mentorship Programs brings you the third annual, "March Break Nature Retreat - For Teachers, Parents, Other Educators, and Nature Lovers" being held at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat on the edge of Algonquin Park.
Activities Include:
- Studying Wildlife through the Eye of a Tracker
- Snowshoeing and Camp Fires
- Basket and Container Making
- Wilderness Awareness Games/Activities
- Story Telling
- Wilderness Crafts with Natural Materials
- Intro to Earth Based Mentoring (coyote mentoring)
- Good Food & Good Fun
- Sauna
- And Much Much More


For more information please view:

Our Web Page: http://www.earthmentorship.com/
Or contact us at: 705-635-1991 or mailto:chris@earthmentorship.com

Tracking Club - January 30th

Eastern Woodlands Tracking Club will be hosting a meeting at the Wolf Den on January 30th, 1pm - 5pm. All ages welcome. No experience necessary. Cost is only a willingness to learn and share.
We will spend the afternoon outside interpreting the stories written in the snow by the local wildlife. Past events have found us trailing; moose, deer, fisher, otter and wolf to name a few.

We track to understand better the life strategies and challenges of the animals we love. We read into how they move, what they eat, where they hang out, when they are active, what they react to...

Please let us know if you plan on attending.
Happy Trails!