Animal Tracking Adventure in Hopkins Forest

Media contact: Drew Jones, Hopkins Memorial Forest Manager; tele: 413-597-4353; email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., January 27, 2020—Hopkins Memorial Forest in Williamstown will host a day of animal tracking on Saturday, Feb. 8. The program, featuring a morning and afternoon session, will be led by naturalist Dan Yacobellis of Tamakoce Wilderness Adventures in Grafton, N.Y.  Dan will lead participants in the field to look for tracks of native Berkshire wildlife including, squirrels, cottontails, voles, raccoons, weasels, foxes, bobcats, and coyotes. Attendees will be able to choose from an early (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) or late (1-3:30 p.m.) session.

Even during the coldest period of the year, the local woods are alive with animals which are out and about looking for food and shelter to help them endure the frigid conditions. The program will focus on following tracks in the outdoors, however there will be opportunities to go indoors to warm up and review some of the fundamentals of tracking and animal behavior.

Trained in the ancient art of tracking by the Lakota people in South Dakota, Yacobellis has been an active tracker and instructor for more than 25 years. He is also a seasoned expert in other aspects of native life skills such as brain tanning hides, hunting practices, bead and porcupine quillwork, and tool construction.

Each tracking session will start at the Rosenburg Center, near the main entrance to Hopkins Memorial Forest, 271 Northwest Hill Road in Williamstown. The program is free; however space is limited and interested participants will need to make a reservation by contacting the Center for Environmental Studies at Williams College:  [email protected] or calling 413-597-2346. It is appropriate for nature enthusiasts of all ages.

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For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Communications 413-597-4277. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/map

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Published January 27, 2020