About the Course

In partnership with Tracker Certification North America, learn to recognize the tracks and traces of mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates and to interpret the movement and behavior of countless creatures that we share the earth with. The art and science of wildlife tracking often reveals a world that is seemingly hidden in plain sight, and can offer innumerable insights into the who, what, why, when and how of the living and breathing ecosystems that sustain us. With time, this practice can help us nurture a deeper sense of connectivity and belonging within our watersheds, and can awaken us to new questions and considerations about the wild worlds around us and within. 

This 2-day immersive learning experience introduces you to the world of wildlife track and sign as seen through the eyes of a professional tracker and educator.  The program is structured to facilitate careful and quiet consideration of wildlife sign, paired with clear, thoughtful, evidence-based exposition by the instructor. This program is designed to improve wildlife tracking and ecology skills for beginner through advanced level practitioners, and will result in an internationally recognized certification for those who qualify!

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With the exception of our expedition programs, most of our courses are hosted within a 30 mile radius of Charlottesville, VA. The diverse nature of our programs is best served by a constellation of sites that includes both public and private land. To protect the safety and privacy of our host site partners as well as the safety of our participants, we do not disclose the addresses or coordinates of our sites online. Upon registering for a course — or no later than 2 weeks prior to its start date — all participants will receive details and directions to the public, pre-course meetup location, from which we will caravan to the host site. 

Instructor(s)

Matt Nelson is a Track & Sign Evaluator and Senior Tracker with CyberTracker Conservation, specializing in developing wildlife tracking and field skills. With a deep-rooted passion for the earth, he trains biologists, students, and employees from state, federal, and tribal agencies, as well as the general public, to accurately interpret wildlife sign and behavior. His work has spanned a wide range of conservation and research projects, including mountain lion studies in North America, carnivore tracking programs in Wisconsin, and efforts with the Saola Foundation to train trackers in the mountains of Laos to locate rare species. In addition, Matt has been a sought out contributor to numerous environmental initiatives, such as steelhead and salmon surveys with the Gualala River Watershed Council, hog removal efforts for UC Berkeley, and forestry projects aimed at identifying wildlife host trees. Known for his practical expertise and dedication to field-based learning, Matt is widely regarded as an expert on wolves, mountain lions, and numerous other animals and ecosystem dynamics. As a lifetime hunter and woodsman, Matt is committed to helping others connect to the landscape by honing their skills in tracking and ensuring a future for wildlife through conservation and holistic management. Whether in search and rescue, research, or ecological restoration, Matt’s diverse experience and expertise has made him one of the most widely respected leaders in the field of wildlife tracking.