Expert woodsmen conduct school with several classes
Even in the 21st century, there are people who can teach you to track animals, start friction fires and build primitive shelters. What’s surprising is that some of these people are here in Cornwall. In May of 2020, they bought the 60-acre estate that once belonged to Peter Stern.
Joe Blevis and Zach Fisher are co-founders of Earth Living Skills, a group that organizes camps and classes. Our newspaper found them at a flea market, where they were selling some of their crafts. They don’t do that very often, but (as Mr. Fisher explained) they were cleaning out their basement.
When a shopper asked for the price of a basket, he got an unusual response from Mr. Blevis. “We can give it to you for $20,” he said, “or you can come to one of our classes and learn to make it on your own.”
We don’t know what the shopper decided, but we know that the Earth Living Skills (ELS) program is unique. “I learn something from every class I teach,” Zach Freeman acknowledged as we chatted in our office. A few days earlier, he and a group of young students discovered a hillside filled with chanterelle mushrooms – a colorful fungus that’s known for its exceptional taste. Later, the same group found the skeleton of a red fox.
These experiences are possible because the ELS teachers have completed natural navigation courses.
They can leave a trail and wander safely into the woods. And, sometimes, you don’t have to go very far to make interesting observations.
In Warwick, the Appalachian Trail leads to a summit known as the “Stairway to Heaven.” The view is remarkable. But by straying 50 yards, Joe Blevis got to see something that most hikers miss – a large bear that was hibernating for the winter.
More recently, he led a group of youngsters through a 400-acre tract in Walden. By following deer, fox and turkey tracks, they arrived at a coyote den with several turkey carcasses. The coyotes were gone, but the kids were not disappointed. Probably no other humans had stumbled across that particular scene.
“The kids got excited,” their leader explained. “The forest came to life for them.
There are several people on the Earth Living Skills staff. In addition to the skills mentioned at the start of this article, they teach survival practices, pottery, basket making, and campfire cooking. You can learn more about them by visiting earthlivingskills.com.
We’re lucky to have met these individuals at the flea market in Beacon. “Our goal,” they said, “was to put ourselves there and make ourselves known.” They should be an exciting addition to the Cornwall community.