The following courses are currently scheduled.
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The Northern Ecology courses listed below are both stretched across the seasons of the North and purposefully interconnected on specific festival weekends.  In particular, North House will be hosting:

Wildflowers of Late Summer 
Jim Gilbert
Session Options:
. . . 8/15/2009
WA new, one-day format is now available for wildflower enthusiasts to enjoy the colors, smells, sights, and tastes of late-summer on the North Shore. Learn to identify the wildflowers of late-summer and early fall. Yes, the asters and goldenrod have begun blooming by mid-August in this part of the natural world. You'll even have the chance to go grazing, as we enjoy the wild fruits such as serviceberries, wild raspberries and timbleberries. Additionally, we'll learn some appropriate techniques for identifying some of the summer trees of the boreal forest. We will hike to a variety of field sites to identify wildflowers, enjoy their beauty and discuss their importance in the natural environment.

While no prerequisites are required for this course, this course complements the Wildflowers of Early Summer course, that generally takes place during North House's annual Boreal Birding & Northern Landscapes Festival. Wildflower enthusiasts are welcome to join us during the 'early summer' to see what species are in bloom.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $75
. . . Materials Fee: $5
. . . Intergenerational Age: 15+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

  
Boreal Birding Immersion On The Gunflint Trail
Dedrick Benz
Session Options:
. . . 6/6/2009 - 6/7/2009
Spring brings millions of migratory birds as they seek a suitable habitat for breeding and, ultimately, recruitment into future generations.  The boreal forest habitat like that along the Gunflint Trail is home to the greatest diversity of bird species in North America, making it perfect for this two-day workshop. The class includes field trips with hiking as you learn bird identification by sight and sound, and habitat needs. This course is part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival – enrollment includes participation in the festival’s Friday and Saturday evening programs as well as early morning snacks to get you started in the field.  Materials fee covers course supplies, van transportation (first day only, carpool day two),  and morning refreshments for festival participants.  Lunch will be purchased out on the trail.

The Superior National Forest is home to over 160 breeding bird species.  Both morning field trips will access key birding locations in various habitat types.  Specific species that are anticipated include: Black-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Gray Jay, and 15 species of Warblers-including Northern Parula, Northern Watertrush and, Mourning Warbler.  A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festivals' featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: Daily: 7am-3pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $50 For Van Transportation
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Boreal Field ID Workshop (with Bob)
Bob Janssen
Session Options:
. . . 6/6/2009
Early morning in the Grand Marais fen listening to warblers, sparrows, flycatchers and vireos – learn and be inspired by the songs of the dawn chorus. During this course you will hear and learn to identify an amazing array of northern birds.  A relaxed workshop testing birdsong skills, discussing Minnesota birding and more follows outdoor fieldwork.   Materials fee covers lunch as well as van transportation for the entire group to maximize opportunities for discussion during the field outings. This course is part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.

A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festivals' featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.  Materials fee covers course supplies, van transportation and morning refreshments for festival participants.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 7am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $75
. . . Materials Fee: $40
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14-17
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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From the Deck - Lake Superior Shoreline Naturalist Tour
Ann Russ
Session Options:
. . . 6/6/2009
. . . 6/7/2009 - Full, Call for Wait List
. . . 7/4/2009
Looking back at the coast from an ecological, historical and geological view is the goal of this outing as we head out on Lake Superior armed with binoculars, naturalist books and cameras.  The group will  travel out on the waters of Lake Superior's North Shore to a remote rookery or to view nesting bald eagles, greet migratory waterfowl and view resident seabirds up close. This water-based workshop takes place aboard the charter boat “Fishin’ Chicks,” a 27’ boat with twin engines to ensure a safe and comfortable learning platform.

Comfortable seating and a private bathroom below deck ensure a safe outing on Lake Superior.  Students should be prepared that in bad weather and wave conditions, the class may cancel.  The discretion of safe travel on Lake Superior will be determined by the captain.   With the Sawtooth mountains and rugged shoreline as a backdrop, be sure  to remember your camera!

A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered in early June as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festival's featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.  Materials fee covers course supplies and morning refreshments for festival participants.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 0.25 2 hrs
. . . Hours: 1:30pm-3:30pm
. . . Tuition: $50
. . . Materials Fee: $50 (charter boat fee)
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Gardening For The Birds - Wildlife Gardening Workshop
Pat Thomas
Session Options:
. . . 6/6/2009
. . . 6/7/2009
Discover how your yard and garden can attract and provide for birds and butterflies...all with a little insight, some hands-on work and a passion to share these spaces with these winged creatures.  In this workshop, you will learn how to create habitats for a variety of birds and butterflies based on their northern life cycles.  We will focus on native plants and northern hardy plants and discuss other ways to make your yard, deck or balcony welcoming for birds and butterflies.  Use this workshop as a way to begin planning a new garden or expand a current one. Decide how much you want to do this year. We'll start small but dream big.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2 hrs
. . . Hours: 1:30pm-3:30pm
. . . Tuition: $45
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Magnet On The Shore – Birding Intro Workshop
Jerry Bonkoski/John Hockema
Session Options:
. . . 6/5/2009
Each spring the North Shore comes alive with bird migration. With fieldwork in the Grand Marais Harbor area and a classroom session we'll review basic field skills including use of binoculars, current birding field guides and an introduction to birding by ear. Our goal is finding, identifying and discussing approximately 65 species of birds - both resident and migrating birds.  This course is part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival – enrollment includes participation in the festival’s Friday and Saturday evening programs.  Materials fee includes morning refreshments and festival presentation admission.

A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festival's featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.  Materials fee covers course supplies and morning refreshments for festival participants.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 7am-Noon
. . . Tuition: $70
. . . Materials Fee: $5
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Minnesota Birding (with Bob!) 
Bob Janssen
Session Options:
. . . 6/4/2009 - 6/5/2009 - Full, Call for Wait List
Wish you could explore the wooded trails of the North Shore and learn the fundamentals of birding with an instructor who might just qualify as a birding super-hero?  Meet Bob Janssen: an active Minnesota birder for almost 60 years, author, award-winner and inspiring teacher.  This course is an opportunity to tap into the passion and skills that have fueled Bob’s birding successes.  With his assistance, you will investigate the occurrence and distribution of birds throughout Minnesota, while also working to enhance your birding field skills. Materials fee covers lunches both days as well as van transportation for the entire group to maximize opportunities for discussion during the field outings. This course is part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.

A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festival's featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.  Materials fee covers course supplies, van transportation and morning refreshments for festival participants.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: Day 1: 9am-5pm; Day 2: 7am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $80
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate

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Mushrooming  
Mike McCall
Session Options:
. . . 8/21/2009
. . . 9/4/2009
Our parents always told us to stay away from them, but now you can spend an afternoon with 'the' fungus expert and discover which mushrooms are safe, delicious, and easy to identify.  This course is appropriate for all levels of mushroom hunters because the local climate and conditions change often enough to provide numerous opportunities for discovering and re-discovering the fungus of northern Minnesota.  Bring a knife, a collecting basket and a mushroom guide, as a portion of the course is spent in the field collecting and identifying.  You are encouraged to bring mushrooms from your local area for identification.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 0.5
. . . Hours: 10am-3pm
. . . Tuition: $60
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner

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North Shore Fall Migration (with Bob!)
Bob Janssen
Session Options:
. . . 9/4/2009 - 9/5/2009
Fall birding along Minnesota's North Shore is a time of tremendous transition.  Migratory movement of numerous species occurs as many birds move along the shore rather than cross the Big Lake. In the eyes of instructor Bob Janssen, this is the time to witness migration at its best (height of warbler migration) on the North Shore and all across Minnesota. We'll explore this unique time of the birding year during this course, and with Bob's assistance you will investigate the migratory movement of birds throughout the region while also working to enhance your birding field skills.  While all Minnesota bird species will be touched upon, the course will concentrate on northern/boreal bird species.  Materials fee includes van transportation for the entire group to maximize opportunities for discussion during the field outings.

This course is part of the Autumn Migration Birding Series - a number of ongoing field opportunities to explore the extended migration season that the North Shore has to offer.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: Day 1: 7am-4pm; Day 2: 7am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $80
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate

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North Shore Geology - A Heritage of Fire and Ice
John Green
Session Options:
. . . 6/5/2009 - 6/7/2009
Have you ever wondered what makes the North Shore such a dramatic and beautiful part of Minnesota?   Why does Lake Superior exist, and what are all those dark rocks that make its rugged shoreline so unique?  In this class we'll start with the basics of geology and learn on a journey up the Gunflint corridor, along several major North Shore river gorges, and to a number of key coastal outcrops. John Green, your guide and instructor, has spent many years exploring and mapping the geology of the North Shore, introducing hundreds to the fascinating story it has to tell, and has written the primary reference guide for North Shore geology.

A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festival's featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.  Materials fee covers course supplies and morning refreshments for festival participants.   Participants will carpool to a variety of field sites.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $5
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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North Shore Geology
    - Lake Superior's Volcanic Heritage
John Green
Session Options:
. . . 9/4/2009 - 9/5/2009
Long before there was a Lake Superior, this region was a dramatic landscape of fiery volcanic eruptions and huge lava flows.  Join University of Minnesota Professor Emeritus John Green for this two-day course that combines indoor background sessions with field trips along the North Shore.  Examine the rocky evidence of this dramatic volcanic history and how geologic processes have shaped our wonderful scenery and influenced the bird and wildflower populations.  John has spent many years exploring and mapping the geology of the North Shore, introducing hundreds to the fascinating story it has to tell.

The definitive guide on North Shore geology, "Geology on Display", will help to shape your explorations and understanding of this incredibly geologically rich region.  Put on your boots - it's time to read the rocks!

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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North Shore/Boreal Forest Birding
Jerry Bonkoski/John Hockema
Session Options:
. . . 6/6/2009 - 6/7/2009
Each spring, the North Shore comes alive with bird song as birds of every size participate in the season’s dynamic cycle.  This two-day workshop introduces participants to birding in the northern landscape, exploring several different habitat types along the North Shore and the inland boreal forest for migrating birds returning to their nesting grounds. This course is part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival, an opportunity to explore a wide variety of flora and fauna of the North Shore through a series of field-based courses.  Your enrollment includes participation in the festival’s Friday and Saturday evening programs. Materials fee covers lunches both days as well as van transportation for the entire group to maximize opportunities for discussion during the field outings.

A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festival's featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.  Materials fee covers course supplies and morning refreshments for festival participants.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: Day 1: 7am-4pm, Day 2: 7am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $70
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Owl In A Night's Work - Evening Field Session
Bill Lane
Session Options:
. . . 6/5/2009 - Full, Call for Wait List
It’s a Jack London species. It’s the northern latitudes. It’s mush dogs and Canadians and the northern lights - it’s the northern saw-whet and boreal owl. As cavity nesting birds, boreal and northern saw-whet owls depend on old boreal forest stands to finding a place to call home.  Where cavities do not exist, the species does not reproduce.  Interestingly, both owls readily adapt to artificial nest structures - therein lies the objective of this course. You will learn about these cavity nesters by visiting nest boxes that encourage reproductive success and you'll spend the evening under stars checking for owl tenants and observe owl courtship and nesting behaviors.  A multi-faceted approach to early summer involves some evening shivers as we observe a  “habitat for non-humanity” project.  Participants in this course will arrange to carpool to selected field sites (up to 30 miles away) after a brief introduction at the start of the course.

A series of parallel course offerings are also featured as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscape Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festival’s featured evening programs (plus evening desserts!).  Participants in this course will arrange to carpool to selected field sites after a brief introduction at the start of the course.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 5:30pm-11pm
. . . Tuition: $75
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Searching For Migrants - The September Session
Jerry Bonkoski/John Hockema
Session Options:
. . . 9/6/2009 - 9/7/2009
The North Shore becomes a funnel of activity for migrating birds in September. This workshop emphasizes searching the shoreline and surrounding areas for species on their journey south.   Day 1 of our experience starts with field trips to Croftville Road, Five Mile Rock, Paradise Beach, Judge C. R. Magney State Park, Hovland and Superior Game Refuge.  We will search Lake Superior shoreline and adjacent land areas for migrating waterfowl and other species.  Day 2 destinations include: Good Harbor Bay, Cascade River State Park and the Spruce Creek area, which involve moderate hiking.  This trip will also include some inland birding to look for other migrating species.


Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: Day 1: 7am-Noon, Day 2: 7am-Noon
. . . Tuition: $130
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12-17
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced

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Wildflowers of Early Summer 
Jim Gilbert
Session Options:
. . . 6/6/2009 - 6/7/2009
Wildflowers are an important part of our natural and cultural heritage, a heritage that provides colorful outdoor enjoyment and intriguing ecological perspectives.  Of the 1,700 species of flowering plants that grow wild in Minnesota, about one-quarter might be considered wildflowers.  What makes a wild plant a wildflower? It depends upon its appearance, where it grows, and who sees it. A rose is a rose unless you decide it’s a weed.  Both days of coursework start at North House and visit multiple destinations. We will hike to a variety of field sites to identify wildflowers, enjoy their beauty and discuss their importance in the natural environment.

A series of parallel festival course offerings are offered as part of the Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival.  Participation in this course includes the festival's featured evening programs - please visit the Festival page for more details.  Materials fee covers course supplies and morning refreshments for festival participants.  Participants in this course will carpool to a variety of field sites.

Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 1pm-5pm
. . . Tuition: $110
. . . Materials Fee: $5
. . . Intergenerational Age: 15+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced