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. Yet in our modern world, they've become exceptionally rare. 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 exactly is an old-growth forest? How are old-growth forests different from younger forests? Is biodiversity always greater in older forests? What do old 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.
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 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 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.
