Friends and Fellow Trackers,
It is with heavy hearts, filled with years of love, laughter, and memories, that the family of Jim Lowery shares the news that Jim has passed away. Jim died peacefully earlier this week after a short resurgence of illness, with his best friend and wife, Mary Brooks, at his side.
Jim taught us that we can often learn about what is and what will be, by looking at where things have been and embracing what is around us. We hope the next set of tracks you discover carry you to the wild adventures Jim so loved. We hope your next adventure leaves you filled with the awe and wonder Jim found in life daily. Most of all, we hope you never stop being curious about your connection to this incredible home we all share, and that Jim held sacred. The spirit of these things, which lived so very strongly in Jim, was a gift to us all.
The Earth Skills community, near and far, has lost someone they love. We invite all of you - friends, students, fellow trackers - to send condolences, share memories / reflections / photographs, or send messages to Mary, through the form below.
With deepest gratitude,
Jim Lowery's Family
April 17, 2026
WELCOME TO EARTH SKILLS… YOUR CONNECTION TO NATURE!
Since 1987, Earth Skills has connected people to nature in deeper ways with a constant focus on creative and effective learning techniques—especially in wildlife tracking, plant uses, wilderness skills, indigenous traditions, and earth philosophy. Today, connecting in traditional ways with our planet is essential.
We commit ourselves especially to teach the greatest depth & breadth of tracking.
Open the door by learning and practicing track identification methods and applying awareness skills.
Expand your skills by visualizing animal movement in tracks, learning biology and behavior, and following trails.
Deepen your skills by applying intuitive skills and learning to become a part of the environment you’re tracking in.
YOUR PORTAL INTO NATURE
In this site, we share methods, resources, facts and inspiration to build and deepen your relationship with the natural world.
Through stories, exercises you can do on your own, and skills everyone can learn, these are now available for you to download or participate in. They include books and monographs, videos, webinar recordings, stories and examples as well as scheduled on-line and in-person workshops. Whether you are new to the outdoors or a veteran wildlife professional, we offer materials and experiences which you can learn from, practice on your own, and use to empower your connection to nature.
To read Jim Lowery’s tribute to Tom Brown, Jr. please CLICK HERE.
The Tracker's Field Guide has been released in its 3rd edition.
“The Tracker's Field Guide is a truly helpful work of art! Gratitude to Jim Lowery for his user friendly and inviting presentation of the complex and magical world of tracking and connecting to the natural world."
- Jon Young, Author of *What the Robin Knows* 8 Shields Institute