Desert-Arid
We are working on Desert Level 2 and Level 3
Soon on this page:
Programs in Spain and the US

Desert, Arid and Xeric Shrubland (DXS) Ecoregion

Topics covered in Level 2 DXS ecoregion training:

• Water: learn methods to locate, filter, and purify water.
• Shelters and wilderness camping: learn to choose optimal locations and construct effective shelters.
• Fire construction and management: learn several ways to build a fire in the DXS ecoregion and safely manage it, including Fresnel lens, ferrocerium rod, bow drill, and hand drill methods.
• DXS ecology and geology: learn about DXS ecological systems and geological features and how to understand your surroundings based on natural indicators.
• Flora and Fauna: learn about the plants and animals in the DXS ecoregion, including useful properties of plants and making tools from foraged animal parts.
• Plant identification: learn about basic medicinal, edible, and non-edible plants.
• Animal safety: learn to appreciate animal behavior and how the presence of certain animals provides vital information for natural resource procurement.
• Orienteering: learn how to orienteer in the DXS ecoregion with map, compass, map & compass, natural features, celestial orienteering, and GPS.
• Tracking: learn how to track mammals, birds, and reptiles in DXS, including print identification, tracking, and trailing exercises.
• Trapping & Fishing: learn how to make and set basic traps for small animals and techniques for catching fish (conditions dependent).
• Bushcraft: learn advanced bushcraft methods for DXS.

• Cordage: produce cordage from native plants and use it for bushcraft and survival purposes.

• Survival; physical and psychological approaches: learn to develop resilience in extreme and challenging conditions.
• Seasonality: partake in summer and winter DXS expedition training.
• Self-rescue and signaling: learn strategies to effect self-rescue including different signaling methods for search parties.
• Sustainability and leave no trace practices: learn and practice low-impact travel methods.
• Personal hygiene: learn and implement healthy hygiene habits in DXS areas.
• How to be a guide: learn what it means to be a wilderness guide and how to become a responsible guide.
• Plan, execute, and full immersion guiding: Complete immersion during back country expeditions in the DXS. Learn the skills and develop the knowledge required to design, organize, execute, and guide in the DXS ecoregion.
• Leadership, group dynamics, client behavior and psychology: Learn how to evaluate client behavior to apply specific leadership methods to manage group dynamics.
• Business development, networking, client communication: Learn how to develop a business plan, network within the guiding profession, and reach out to potential clients.