REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 11, 2026
ELDERS:
THE ECOLOGY OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS
An ecological journey exploring the resilient life and enduring legacy of ancient forests.
OLD-GROWTH FORESTS DEMYSTIFIED
Old-growth forests are among the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. Once abundant, these ecosystems have become exceptionally rare in our modern world. How did this happen? Where do we find remnant old-growth forests today? And what makes these ecosystems so special?
ELDERS: THE ECOLOGY OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS is an online ecology course designed to answer these essential questions. With a focus on the inner workings of older forests, this course teaches you how to decode the hallmarks of ecological maturity.
READ THE LANDSCAPE OF TIME
What makes a forest old-growth? How are old-growth forests different from younger forests? What allows a tree to endure for centuries? What do trees tell us about the history of a landscape?
ELDERS: THE ECOLOGY OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS dives into these questions to help you gain ecological literacy. With guided lessons through high-quality videos, this online course equips you with practical skills for understanding not only old-growth forests, but any forested landscape.
Hi, I'm Adam
I am the founder of Learn Your Land — an educational organization dedicated to bringing humans and wild places together.
The first time I walked into an older forest I knew something was different. The trees were larger. The moss was deeper. And there was a certain quality that permeated the entire landscape.
I had never experienced this quality in any ecosystem before, and while it felt good to be in its presence, I couldn't quite make sense of it at the time.
Upon returning home and learning more about the forest I had just visited, I eventually realized what that quality was:
Age.
The forest I had visited was an old-growth forest — an ecosystem that was paradoxically new to me at the time.
Since then, I have visited numerous old-growth forests all over North America to study and learn more about these remarkable places.
I've consistently asked questions like:
What are the signatures of old age in forests? How do old-growth forests differ by region? Why has there been an assault on older landscapes all over the world? And what can these forests teach us about growing older ourselves?
I created ELDERS: THE ECOLOGY OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS to answer these important questions. By enrolling in this course and studying its content, you will embark on an educational journey in which the lessons embedded within older ecosystems are revealed.
COURSE INFORMATION
Here's what's included with ELDERS: THE ECOLOGY OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS.
- Exclusive in-depth videos. The course includes 30 exclusive and never-before-seen videos that are only available to students. Organized into 5 modules, the field lessons within the course take you step-by-step through the process of recognizing and understanding older forests.
- Work at your own pace. Complete the course at a speed that is most convenient for you. The total length of this self-paced course is approximately 7 hours. You can put the course on hold if necessary and return to it at any time.
- Unlimited access. Once you enroll, the course and all materials are immediately available to you.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
What Is An Old-Growth Forest?
We often use the term old-growth to describe any forest with big trees, but size isn't always the best indicator of age. What then distinguishes an old-growth forest from a mature forest or a second-growth forest? Do the terms primary forest, virgin forest, and climax forest mean the same thing? ELDERS addresses these important questions in the introductory videos.
Historical Context & Prevalence
To understand our modern forests, we must understand their past. Is it possible to determine just how much of the North American continent was once old-growth? How did the few remaining forests escape the axe? ELDERS looks back through time to see how these landscapes once looked and explores the changes that have taken place over the past few centuries.
Old-Growth Forest Characteristics
From the structure of a single tree to the topography of the forest floor, certain physical features characterize older forests. What are these specific features, and how can we use them as clues to interpret forest history? ELDERS identifies the physical traits unique to old-growth forests to help us distinguish these landscapes from all others.
Processes & Interactions
An old-growth forest isn't just a collection of old trees. It's an ecosystem comprising untold numbers of interactions between plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. ELDERS explores these intricate cycles — from the geological foundations of the landscape to the dynamics of tree mortality and renewal — ultimately helping us see how a forest is more than the sum of its parts.
Similarities & Differences
What do all old-growth forests have in common? How do they differ? In the Case Studies module within ELDERS, we answer these questions by exploring specific old-growth forests in North America — from the rocky cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in Canada, to the towering bottomland forests in South Carolina, to the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.
Threats & Conservation
Disturbances like fire and wind have historically played important roles in shaping older forests. Yet today, the cumulative impact of modern stressors strains the long-term resilience of these ecosystems. ELDERS identifies the most pressing threats today and explores strategies to conserve and manage old-growth forests.
LASTING RESULTS
Here’s what you will be able to do after completing the course:
- Identify the defining characteristics of old-growth forests.
- Locate where remnant old-growth forests are likely to occur.
- Estimate the ages of trees using field observation techniques.
- Find indicator species of old-growth forests more easily.
- Read the history of any forested landscape more clearly.
- Navigate wild areas more intentionally and with deeper presence.
- Enhance your other nature pursuits, from birding and foraging to hiking and hunting.
ELDERS: THE ECOLOGY OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS
ONLINE COURSE
REGISTRATION OPEN THROUGH MONDAY, MAY 18
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is designed for nature enthusiasts with an interest in trees, forests, ecology, and history, and for those who want to deepen their connection to wild places. While we dive deep into old-growth forests, this course is ultimately about ecological literacy. The strategies you'll learn will equip you with the skillset needed to read any forest, from a centuries-old remnant to a younger, recovering stand.
Portions of this course were filmed in southern Canada, the northeastern US, the southeastern US, the Great Lakes region, northern California, and the Pacific Northwest.
GET NOTIFIED WHEN DOORS OPEN
WHAT STUDENTS SAY
"This class was outstanding. Adam has a great teaching style, the presentation is always content-rich, and he encourages you to apply the information immediately. I’ve taken another class from Adam, resulting in the same opinion. I revisit both courses regularly to review, which is a great advantage to my study. You too can learn your land!"
— George Z.
"I knew that Adam would deliver a spot-on educational course yet again. Adam's gift is his ability to effectively and beautifully communicate using the video medium. The videography, combined with the succinct and rich content is a continuation of his previous excellent online products. As always, Adam gave me an excellent foundational starting point so that I can more confidently continue my own ecology journey. I am always working on my 'eye' in nature, whether it is flora or fauna, and now I have a better appreciation for the larger context in which my favorite plants and animals reside. Adam's online course equips me to further my own skills, energizes me to seek my own knowledge, and motivates me to deepen my insight into the marvelous world we reside in."
— Kenji M.
"Since I retired, I have enjoyed walking in a nearby forest. I took an interest in its wildflowers, ferns, mosses, and mushrooms, and I am learning to identify them. But it wasn’t until I took Exploring Wild Ecosystems that I learned how to see and appreciate the bigger picture. This course has allowed me to identify smaller ecosystems within my forest: bogs, swamps, and vernal pools, and I expect to find a marsh and maybe even a fen. I am especially looking forward to exploring vernal pools this spring. I expect that the added dimensions of ecosystems, habitats, and niches will make me a more astute explorer. Adam is a brilliant teacher."
— Gayle C.
"I’ve been taking mini mind-vacations from city life into the natural world via Adam Haritan’s always informative Learn Your Land videos for quite a while. He’s a passionately committed naturalist with an exceptional gift for communicating via this medium. I signed up for Exploring Wild Ecosystems for the opportunity to learn to see the natural world in a new way, and am so glad I did. Learned a lot, and enjoyed it all the way. Highly recommend."
— Libby S.
