Alderleaf Wilderness College

Alderleaf opened up many doors for myself, it was a life changing experience but the school is not for everyone, though sometimes i wish it was! Like many situations in life, what you put in is what you get out, and after two years as a student at alderleaf I am ready to take on the next chapter of my life and plunge forward in my studies at Western Washington University. I aspire an environmental career (park ranger), and my time at Alderleaf not only sets me apart from the rest but it drew me closer to our natural world and brought out my naturalist side in extraordinary ways. At this school we learn about permaculture, animal track and sign, ethnobotany, plant ID, forestry, ancestral skills, friction fire and wilderness survival skills to name a few. Alderleaf is a incredibly close-knit community that is very welcoming, but mostly inspiring. If you have a chance, explore their web page, watch some student testimonials and if your inspired, please take the plunge! for me, it was worth every penny and every sacrifice. I plan to always stay connected and be apart of this rich community!

I just recently graduated from alderleaf's 9 month wilderness certification program and it was a truly life changing experience. Every instructor is extremely knowledgeable of the natural world and the program curriculum covers a mindblowing number of topics throughout the year. It's impossible to really describe the Alderleaf experience in a review but the knowledge gained, friends and connections made, and the truly unique sense of community made for one of the best years ive ever had. Alderleaf made me prepared for my summer job teaching kids wilderness skills and Ill be back at the end of summer for the advanced course!

Took a weekend survival course- my first visit to Alderleaf College. What an amazing time! Our guide and teacher was really great, so knowledgable and patient with all of our questions. Highly recommend for anyone- what a cool place.

Alderleaf Wilderness College is a great place to learn outdoor skills that are little known in our culture today. Alderleaf Wilderness College's Certification Program gave me a broad foundation of knowledge about how to interact with the natural world.

Although always interested in nature, the depth of knowledge of the instructors inspired me to bring my studies to a new level. Formerly able to identify simple tracks like rabbit, deer and bear, in less than one year of study I earned a level III in Track & Sign from Cyber Tracker. My understanding of plants and bird language increased similarly.

Here at Alderleaf, I leaned what it meant to be a true environmentalist. The most direct ways to address our modern environmental problems is to practice traditional, sustainable ways of doing things, fueled by a new respect for the natural world. Here you will be able to learn bushcraft, medicinal use of plants and sustainable agriculture from experts in each field.

One important thing that Alderleaf did for me is to boost my self-confidence while in nature. I learned to identify true environmental threats and how to deal with them. I learned new edible plants I can find all over the country, how to obtain safe drinking water, maintain fires in wet weather and to handle medical emergencies that may happen in the back country.

The community at Alderleaf is exceptional. People come from all backgrounds and form a close and welcoming circle. I have never before or since found a community where I feel more at home.

Alderleaf Wilderness College has done a lot for my career as well. After graduating I was offered an internship with the US Fish and Wildlife Service doing outdoor education and interpretation, and accepted a summer position with Michigan Audubon and the Michigan DNR leading birdwatching tours to see the Federally Endangered Kirtland's Warbler.

I thoroughly enjoyed the season I spent at Alderleaf Wilderness College. Everyone I spoke with about what I was doing was very interested and supportive. I want to thank The faculty at Alderleaf for going up and beyond to invest themselves in this community to help the students. I also want to thank the students, my friends, who made learning a wonderful experience.

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you all do. You can never tell what your going to get from any type of school. I found everything at Alderleaf above & beyond what's advertised. There were a couple of students in the brain tanning course I attended that have taken multiple courses with Alderleaf & repeat students are a good sign of success. I really enjoyed the class & got more out of it than I expected ( including sore muscles :-) ).
Katie Russell is extremely knowable & a great teacher. She did a great job of passing her knowledge onto the students. I hope you have her back to teach more classes.
Thank you personally for taking the time to show me around & making sure I found a camp site that suited the requirements of my hammock.
You guys ROCK!! Keep up the great work & I hope to see you all again soon.