What to Know:
Black Hills Parks and Forests Association invites you to join Education Specialist Tom Tonkin at the Custer County Library for Field Notes: Stories and Skills from the Natural World, an engaging 1.5-hour introduction to the art of nature observation. Through photos, videos, and stories, you’ll discover how naturalist skills can deepen your understanding of the natural world around us.
What we’ll explore
- Animal tracking and survival techniques explained through real-world examples
- The plants and wildlife of the Black Hills and surrounding ecosystems
- Hidden meanings behind animal calls and signs
- Interactive Q&A where you can test your knowledge and curiosity
Why attend
This class is designed for anyone who loves the outdoors or wants to begin looking at nature in a new way. Whether you are a family, student, or lifelong learner, Field Notes offers fresh perspectives and practical insights into local flora and fauna, and helps you gain the skills to connect with them. You will also learn what you can do to help protect and care for the public lands around the Black Hills.
Details
- Length: 1.5 hours
- Cost: free (offered by Black Hills Parks and Forests Association)
- Format: interactive presentation with visuals, discussion, and audience participation
About the instructor
Tom Tonkin is the Education Specialist for Black Hills Parks and Forests Association. With over 30 years of experience teaching naturalist skills, Tom has worked with Wilderness Awareness School, Tracks and Trees Learning Center, and numerous state and county programs. His teaching blends storytelling with practical skill-building to inspire connection to the natural world.
About Black Hills Parks and Forests Association
Founded in 1946, BHPFA is a nonprofit dedicated to interpretation, education, and stewardship in partnership with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and other public land agencies across the Black Hills and Nebraska Panhandle.
