The Online Course to Unwind & Learn Outdoors
Nature's Language
- Learn about Wildlife Tracking, Bird Language, Ecology & More...
- Expand Your Awareness & Deepen Your Connection to Nature
- Connect with an Inspiring Community to Stay Motivated
- Make Time for You!
"Hikes, walks, camping trips became much more interesting, making me a bit less of a clueless passenger and more of an active observer of my environment."
Rafael Etges
Course Participant
"Professionally, this course contributed to my ability to run outdoor education programs. Personally, learning to read the landscape has been incredible. I notice patterns I never would have before. Chris is a talented educator who cultivates a warm and thoughtful learning community
Emily Beaton
Course Participant
Who is Nature's Language For?
- People of ALL experiences levels and backgrounds who love the outdoors and want to learn about nature, wildlife & ecology.
- Adults looking to make more time for their own learning and personal growth.
- Outdoor Educators, Parents, Forest School Mentors and Teachers looking to mentor others outdoors.
- Anyone who wants to explore nature's wonders, increase their knowledge and expand their natural awareness.
What's Included:
Flexible Enrollment Options:
One-Time Payment
Nature's Language
$349
- Monthly "Virtual Campfire" Mentoring Calls
- Video Lessons & Workbooks with Outdoor Activities
- Online Community to Ask Questions & Share
6 Monthly Payments
Nature's Language
Reg $59/mo
- Monthly "Virtual Campfire" Mentoring Calls
- Video Lessons & Workbooks with Outdoor Activities
- Online Community to Ask Questions & Share
ALL Access Pass to
Chris Outdoors Online
Reg $749
$674 or $56/mo x 12
- Nature's Language ($349)
- The Mushroom Course ($165)
- The Hunter's Journey ($570)
- Survive the Storms Emergency Preparedness ($97)
- Any bonus calls or classes run exclusively for the community
Savings = $432
Money Back Guarantee
We always strive to create quality learning experiences that meet different learning styles. We are also always striving to raise the bar when it comes to what an engaging online course can look like. If you give the course and community an honest chance and find it does not engage and inspire you, we offer a 100% money back refund.
Upcoming "Virtual Campfire" Schedule:
Below is the schedule of upcoming calls and themes for 2023. By joining you also get access to the recordings of all past calls going back to 2021.
February 9th, 2023
Getting to Know Weasels
with Chris Gilmour from Chris Outdoors
March 2nd, 2023
Intro to Wildlife Tracking & Birding-by-Ear
with Chris Gilmour from Chris Outdoors
March 16th, 2023
The Art of Trailing - Following & Learning from Bears & Stories from Africa
with Sandy Reed from Original Wisdom School
March 29th (Wednesday), 2023
Spring Birds - Hone Your Birding-by-Bar and Interpretive Bird Language
with Special Guest Alexis Burnett from Earth Tracks Outdoors School
May 4th, 2023
Underwater - A Deep Dive into Fish & Water Ecology
with Carolyn Knapper, Fisheries Biologist
June to Aug, 2023 - Summer Break
Fall 2023 Schedule - TBA
** Please note the specific topics and presenters are subject to change. Beyond each call's evening theme, we also take time to answer your nature questions and connect with the community.
What Jocelyn had to say about the course...
Meet Your Guides...
Chris Gilmour
Course Creator & Lead Mentor
I've always loved the outdoors, but it wasn't until my early twenties that I realized how little of nature's language I was aware of.
After meeting a few mentors, I realized I was enjoying nature more as a spectator and tourist than an active and aware part of nature's story.
This sent me on a twenty-year (and counting) journey of rediscovery. I realized there was so much more than learning the names or scientific facts about nature.
I wanted to build deep relationships with all the amazing species we share this planet with, to know them like friends and family.
I began to learn to interpret the meaning of bird calls and the story being told, the signs from nature that the weather will change or which way north is. I began to read trees and tracks like words in a storybook.
This new way of relating to the natural world completely changed my life. One of my biggest passions is sharing this with others.
Guest Mentors
Christina Yu
Parks Canada - Gros Morne
Caleb Musgrave
Canadian Bushcraft
Laura Gilmour
Wild Muskoka Botanicals
Alexis Burnett
Earth Tracks Outdoors School
And...
Sandy Reed
Original Wisdom School
Carolyn Knapper
Fisheries Biologist
Mystery Guests!
Who know who our next guest will be...
Frequently Asked Questions
Both enrollment options include access for 12 months. You can pay a small monthly fee at the end of the 12 months if you wish to keep attending the calls and accessing the course materials.
We have people of all experience levels join these calls, and our mentors all have decades of experience as naturalists. We have many professional outdoor educators in the course as participants, and they still get a ton out of it. If you join and realize your knowledge is beyond the course, we are happy to refund you.
We do our best to create a welcoming and supportive space where you can be you, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity.
We keep politics out of the conversation unless directly related to ecology and conservation.
This is also an LGBTQ+-friendly space, and we are working on building a diverse community and mentoring team.
There is no tolerance for any form of bullying in the course. We stand behind the motto, "respect for each other and the land."
We are also open to suggestions on how we can improve this as a welcoming and safe learning environment for all.
Yes, the community is set up for you to share your stories, post pictures of cool tracks and nature mysteries you find and ask questions. Oour monthly "Virtual Campfire" calls are also a place you can share, ask questions and get to know the mentors and other particpants.
ALL experience levels are welcome. If you are a complete beginner, you will learn a ton! A lot of the material is geared toward absolute beginners. Some aspects may be over your head to start, but these plant seeds for where your journey can go.
Yes, urban landscapes are still full of natural mysteries and stories to be revealed. We will help you adapt the lessons and skills so you can learn about the species and wildlife in the city and suburbs. We even have an entire lesson in the course on urban wildlife tracking.
No problem. All the live sessions are recorded and available to watch within 48-hrs of the live event.
Yes, we are open to custom arrangements. Our mentors rely on their teaching income, and we strive to pay our team fairly for their decades of experience and hard work.
However, we also honestly believe in making nature connection accessible to all people. So, if you feel you would benefit and have the time to put into learning but face financial or other barriers to joining, please email us to discuss possibilities.
Nature's Language is a standalone learning experience online that encourages participants to get outdoors.
Chris Outdoors does run some occasional in-person classes which are listed under events on our website.
I absolutely get this one. When I started creating this course, I was very hesitant even to teach it online. But, 6-years later, I'm genuinely proud of the online learning experience I have built. This is not your average boring online course where you watch a bunch of videos. Instead, the lessons are engaging with activities to get you outside. And the community has lots of opportunities to connect with other people and instructors. I always leave our "Virtual Campfires" inspired and excited. It does not feel like more online time to me.