The Robin’s Nest – How to Identify Bird Nests: When we hike in nature, we only see the things we consider important. When I was studying to be a naturalist, each week’s guest lecturer would take us out … Continue Reading →
10 Equipment Gifts for People Who Love the Outdoors (2015)
It can be hard to shop for someone who likes the outdoors. You want to get them something they will use and enjoy. A gift that matches their interests and … Continue Reading →
Building a Tule Boat! (Part 1 – The California Boat)
QUAIL!!! I stomped the brake pedal as quail streamed across the road. My sedan lurched and checked its steep descent down the coastal mountain. The car idled, motionless, … Continue Reading →
Use Your Knife – Make a Whimmy Diddle Bushcraft Toy (Video)
It’s fun to practice your skills by making a simple project. The Whimmy Diddle is a folk toy you can create to practice your carving skills. The toy may have originated … Continue Reading →
Tell me Your Spooky Story!
Halloween is approaching and once again I’m volunteering for The Missing Arm Hike. The staff of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, in northern California, guides visitors through a 1-hour, … Continue Reading →
My most popular first aid supply of the year!
The envelope please. And the winner is… <drum roll> Wait! Who am I kidding? There’s no such thing as a “popular” first aid supply. In fact, first aid supplies … Continue Reading →
Bear Eats Sea Kayak! (Video and Lessons learned)
Mary Maley was on a solo 107-mile kayak trip in Southeast Alaska when she encountered a black bear (Ursus americanus). She had just transferred her tent, food, and gear … Continue Reading →
Litter Bugs Me!
Have you ever done a good deed out of pure disgust? Well now I have! I work in the city of Milpitas, California. It lies east of the southern tip … Continue Reading →
How to Make Manzanita Punch
Summer is drawing to an end. And if you’re an animal it is time to store calories for the winter. Plants know this and provide a bounty of nuts … Continue Reading →
5 Great Acorn Articles!
Acorns are magical! Every autumn they rain from the trees, providing us with nutritious food and even toys! I want to share five articles with you about foraging, processing, … Continue Reading →
Make a Wild Foods Calendar (Free Download)
Eating wild edibles is like having a time machine. I don’t mean it will prolong your life. I’ll let journal articles tell you that. I mean it’s like having a … Continue Reading →