BHPFA Field School
Supporting wonder and exploration through stewardship of your public lands!
Black Hills Parks & Forests Field School provides educational programming that helps people enjoy, understand, and appreciate the ecology, wildlife, geology, and cultural history of the Black Hills and Nebraska Panhandle.
Programs:
- Nature Connection Workshops: Great for families, children ages 8 and up, photographers, hunters, naturalists, and anyone with curiosity and wonder of the natural world
- SheJumps Events: These programs welcome all women and girls—transgender and cisgender, as well as non-binary people
- Outreach Programs:
- Naturalist Tours:
Program activity levels:
Each of our programs is geared toward a specific activity level, and it is important that you accurately assess your ability to perform the physical activities of the program for which you are registering.
All field activities will be conducted as a group. If you cannot meet the activity level expectations during your program, you may be restricted from participation in daily outings. Because it would not be fair to other participants, we will not alter program itineraries or activities to accommodate individuals who cannot meet the activity expectations of the programs.
Before you register, please make sure you are familiar and prepared for the levels of physical activity described in the activity level assigned to the program. Restriction from participation because you cannot meet the activity level expectations, for any reason, is not considered a valid case for refunding any program fees.
Cancellation Policy
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- Cancellations made 7 days or more in advance of the event date will receive a 100% refund. Optional donations made during registration will not be refunded.
- Cancellations made within 3-6 days in advance of the event date will receive a 50% refund. Optional donations made during registration will not be refunded.
- No refunds will be given for cancellations within 48 hours of the event, as this does not give us adequate time to fill the spot.
If BHPFA must cancel an adventure due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund of your payment.
Nature Connection Workshops
Connect with nature while learning valuable hands-on skills to further your exploration! Our workshops are perfect for beginners and families to seasoned outdoors people including naturalists, photographers, hikers, and hunters.
Looking to build comradery among your team? Our workshops are a great way to build communication, collaboration, teamwork, and trust within a workplace or group. Our instructors would be glad to schedule an experience with your group today! Reach out to bhpf@blackhillsparks.org
Costs:
- Individual (18 and up): $40.00
- BHPFA Member Rate: $30.00
- Children Under 18: $20.00 (Min. age for workshops is 8 years old)
- Family Rate: $100.00 (Two adults, 1-2 children)
- Member Family Rate: $85.00
Typical Schedule
Total Class Time: 4hrs
First 1-2 hours Inside
- Light the Spark! Introduce the topic, set the foundation
- Allow participants time to ask questions and practice skills
Last 2-3 hours Outside
- Participants use skills and foundations built in the first part of class and put them to use while on a guided nature hike with instructors
- Expand on participants’ curiosities, give them the tools to learn more on their own, and to continue their interest in the subject
Nature’s Clues: A Workshop in Animal Tracking and Signs
Animals tell stories with the signs they leave behind. In this workshop, we will practice our observation skills and curiosity to learn more about the world around us. Using our senses we will learn how to navigate using cues from nature, and we will study tracks and signs animals leave behind to learn how to answer these questions: What animal has left this track? Why was this animal here: was it hunting, frightened, or at ease? Is it male or female? Is it pregnant, or injured? Does it have a large set of antlers or horns? And more!
Secrets of Wind Cave’s Prairie: An Ecological Adventure
Explore the hidden treasures along the trails in Wind Cave National Park. There are countless worlds of struggle and beauty, hidden in plain sight. In this course, participants will explore some of the most fascinating ecological stories and processes that make Wind Cave National Park’s prairie ecosystem unique. Through classroom instruction and exploration in the field, participants will learn about a wide range of topics in natural history and ecology, and see how careful attention can bring new depth to your experience of the natural world.
Nature’s Soundtrack: Decoding Animal Communication
Have you ever wondered how to tell if a hawk or coyote is near, or when a deer is quietly slipping away, just by listening to the sounds of nature? In this course, participants will learn how to tune into animals’ communication systems to understand what’s happening around them—even when the creatures are out of sight.
Discover how to interpret the calls, movements, and behaviors of wildlife, and gain the ability to detect nearby predators, prey, and other species. You’ll also learn techniques for moving through nature without alerting wildlife, allowing you to observe animals you might have otherwise missed. This class is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, from naturalists to hunters and photographers. Families and individuals of all ages are welcome to join and connect with the wild world around them.
The Art of Survival
In this class, explore how animals in Wind Cave have adapted to their environment and how these survival strategies can inspire and teach us. You’ll learn the secrets of their resilience and gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of life. By studying these adaptations, we can apply their lessons to our survival skills, enhancing our ability to thrive in the great outdoors.
Connecting our own survival needs to these animals we will learn how learn how to construct survival shelters, find water, and stay warm with fire-building techniques. Join us to uncover nature’s strategies for surviving and flourishing in the wild.
Meet the instructors!
Julie Plachta and Tom Tonkin have taught about the outdoors for various organizations such as “Tracks and Trees” and “Wilderness Awareness School” for several decades, combined. They have also conducted wildlife inventories for multiple county and state agencies on a professional level. Now, they are delighted to be bringing some of their previous experience to the residents of the Black Hills, and sharing their passion for connecting people with the natural world.
