The Nature Wanderer Classes

Welcome to the Nature Wanderer Online Classes. All of these classes are self paced so that you can take your time to have fun and get the most out of them. 

Scouts - 

If you are a Scout taking a Merit Badge class, I look at Merit Badges as a learning experience. Rather than seeing how much you know, I focus on how much you learn from the class. 

These are not formal Zoom classes. Everything is done online. Each class uses videos, lessons, quizzes and other resources to teach you about the topic and to check your retention of what you learned. Please be aware that although you can work on the badges at your own pace, you are limited to 90 days to complete the class. If I feel you rushed through a badge, I will not sign off on the merit badge. 90 days is plenty of time to put in a good effort and to do well.

If at any time you need assistance with a requirement, please email me at paul@naturewanderer.org. Scout regulations, as well as my own, require that you cc a parent or leader on all emails. Comments on how to make future courses better are always welcome as well.

Public Classes - 

If you are taking one of my public classes you will have access to the course for 90 days. I only do this to limit "zombie" accounts which take up server space. The public classes are designed to teach you about aspects of nature that you want to know more about. If you have suggestions for future classes, please drop me an email.

Enjoy! 

Paul

ABOUT ME - 

Hello everyone. I'm Paul Fehringer. I love spending time in nature and teaching others about the wonders of the natural world. I have two degrees in Environmental Sciences. I have been a nature lover since I was a kid and was fortunate enough to take that love of nature into my career as I was the Senior Naturalist for the Buffalo Audubon Society for almost a decade. I was a naturalist/interpreter for NYS Parks for several years and have worked with other environmental groups in the Western NY area. I also founded Wild Spirit Education, Inc. and was their Executive Director and Senior Naturalist for more than 20 years. For the past 10 years I have substitute taught at a local middle school and love to teach science. 

When I retired from Wild Spirit in 2022 I put more effort into The Nature Wanderer which was started in 2020 as a personal way to continue to teach about nature. I now host The Nature Wanderer podcast on most platforms where you listen to your favorite podcasts. 

I have worked with Scouts in many capacities including a cubmaster, assistant scout master, committee chair and my favorite position as a Scout dad. I am a registered merit badge counselor for most of the nature related merit badges as well as a few other badges that I have training in.