Deep Connection to Land and Animals

Welcome to Southwest Wildlife Tracking Institute, where you can find classes to improve your tracking, no matter your skill level. We're glad you're here—come be a part of the story of tracking!

Wildlife Tracking Training

 

At SWTI, we do more than teach tracking skills—we transform your connection to the natural world. Our immersive, field-based programs combine rigorous instruction with plenty of "dirt time," giving you both the framework and the experience you'll need to advance in your tracking journey.

 

Wildlife tracking isn't mysterious—it's a tangible skillset, one that you can learn with diligence and attention that allows an unprecedented view into the lives of wild animals. We'll go deep into observation and tracking skills, plus a detailed understanding of the animals around you—you'll leave with strong tracking abilities, and a deep connection to the landscapes we visit.

SWTI Programs 

5-Month Tracking Intensive

A long-term, immersive tracking experience

Join our five-month journey designed for passionate trackers aiming to improve their track and sign skills—or progress to higher Cybertracker certifications offered by Tracking Certification North America.

Led by two instructors holding multiples of CyberTracker’s highest Track & Sign certifications—Professional and Specialist—this hands-on program offers five immersive two and a half day weekends (Friday afternoon through Sunday), where the wild world itself becomes your classroom.

Our weekends together will be almost entirely in the field. And if you'd like to take the skills deeper, you can choose to complete optional homework between our weekend sessions. Both beginner and experienced trackers will find ample support and opportunity to learn in this Intensive. Click here to learn more.

 

Our 5-month Tracking Intensive
program focuses on: 

  • Serious Tracking Knowledge: Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned tracker, you’ll walk away from this course with increased skills.
  • Honing your process: The analytical process we use to ID and interpret tracks is critical to our success as trackers. We'll make sure your process is sharp and accurate.
  • Mentorship in the field and beyond: We've made all the mistakes at least once (and usually way more than that), and you'll benefit from our years of experience.
  • Short Feedback Loops for faster learning: When you work on a tracking problem, and get feedback quickly from an experienced instructor, your skill level increases far faster than simply practicing on your own.
  • Optional homework and mentoring between sessions: If you'd like, you can complete journaling and awareness exercises between our weekends, with the availability of mentoring time from instructors.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded wildlife tracking enthusiasts and instructors, building a community that supports long-term growth as a tracker.
  • Support for Advanced Certifications: If you're striving to hit the next level in your CyberTracker certification, we'll give you strategies and focused field time to help you get over the hump.
  • Real-World Field Skills: Whether you’re a conservation professional, student, field biologist or you simply track for personal enrichment, you’ll refine your observational skills while out on the landscape.

Weekend Tracking Classes

Can Be Taken Singly or All Together

Focused weekend classes that fit your schedule. Our weekend sessions are designed for trackers who cannot commit to the full five-weekend Intensive, those eager to explore diverse tracking environments, or anyone looking to sharpen their skills in diverse and beautiful landscapes.

Each weekend offers a focused, hands-on experience in exceptional tracking locations. Whether you take one session on its own, or sign up for all three, you’ll gain practical expertise and refined observation skills to take your tracking to the next level.

Our weekend classes are experiential and field-based. We'll spend almost all our time out in wild places, tracking animals, and learning about their habits and behavior. Each class will cover the basics of tracking, and then we'll get out and learn directly from what we find on the landscape. Beginner and experienced trackers are welcome—there's something here for everyone! Click here to learn more.

Since our learning will be dictated by what we find on the landscape, there is no set curriculum for the weekend classes—but rest assured, you'll leave with a serious toolkit for deepening your tracking practice.

Curriculum Focus:

  • Building (or reinforcing) the basics, then moving to more advanced tracking skills

  • Tracking process: observation skills, master listing animals, and building a case with evidence for your ID

  • Wildlife life histories and behavior

  • Deep connection to beautiful wild landscapes

 

Our Weekend classes are ideal if you:

  • Are starting out on your tracking journey
  • Aiming to push your skills further
  • Desiring a single-weekend, immersive experience on the landscape
  • Wishing to obtain higher CyberTracker certification scores
  • Working to obtain Professional or Specialist Certifications

"Jonathan's tracking apprenticeship was, like all of his courses, incredibly in depth, yet approachable. Our class consisted of people just dipping their toes into the world of tracking to people who had received their professional certification—and all were engaged and interested due to the lesson and teaching format!"

Audrey Dowell, Burlington VT

"Tracking with Jonathan has been an incredible way to help build my tracking skills and awareness of natural history. He is a knowledgeable guide who is also invested in teaching the process—I’ve not only learn about tracks but also how to become a better tracker."

Rose Richter, Mount Holly VT

"Jonathan uses a variety of tools in his teaching, and seems to be equally enthusiastic to engage students on whatever level they may be at, from a total novice like myself, to the seasoned trackers in our cohort. The atmosphere is welcoming, warm, and collaborative."

Ben Mattingly, Montpelier VT