ABOUT WALK WITH THE ANIMAL
ANIMALL TRACKING THAT IS INTUITIVE AND CONNECTED
Jim Lowery and Mary Brooks spent decades weaving intuitive tracking, with its ancient roots among indigenous trackers, into the skill set of modern trackers as a rich addendum to ‘Technical Tracking’. Following an animal’s trail, listening to its clues about connecting to the habitat and being aware in every moment of the rich journey the two of you are taking, is an unforgettable experience. You step beyond track identification and analysis, not only into the animal’s world, but also into new levels of listening to the outdoors.
This section of the Earth Skills website is an invitation to explore the principles and methods evolving from Jim and Mary’s field work, which has been tested and practiced by students in their long running Walk with the Animal series of workshops. The stories and insights of these students form much of the wisdom shared here.
Earth Skills thanks our students: Alice, Dave, Ellie, Gary, Hannah, Juliette, Kelly, Lori, Marge, Marie, Matt, Randy, Sue and Wendy, who graciously shared their experiences with us for use on this site.
We hope you will discover new ideas, methods and inspiration.
“WALK WITH THE ANIMAL is about Developing a Relationship with the animal as we track: our attitude and state of mind, how we approach the trail and then How we Merge Intuitive and Practical tracking.”
~ Jim Lowery
"It takes tracking to a whole other level. It’s not about identifying the animal or, for example, its gait. It’s having an actual connection with it. It’s on a much higher level. It’s like having a relationship. It’s intimate.”
~ Lori
“You can’t separate tracks from the animals who made them. You can try, and most people do, but what about that particular animal and its place in the landscape?”
~ Wendy