2025 Classes, Nomad News, 40% off Sale!
Sixteen years ago, I saw my first Sea Otter on the spot where I took this photo a few days ago. I have been fascinated by them ever since, especially their use of tools! They gather a flat rock, which they tuck under their armpit, surface with a clam, and then use the rock as an anvil to smash the clam open!
“The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill ; The willingness to learn is a choice”
I can't think of a more appropriate quote that sums up the last few years of my life, especially these past two months, which have been nothing short of a whirlwind. Since I embarked on this journey as “T3, the Digi-Natural Nomad,” life has unfolded in ways I never imagined. As I navigate this new chapter, there have been many challenges, moments of reflection, and incredible bursts of creativity. One thing has become abundantly clear: this isn’t just a personal adventure—it’s a mission. And it’s only just beginning.
A Journey of Legacy and Connection
At the heart of this journey is my father’s incredible legacy. As my father’s oldest son, I have worked in Nature Education, Nature Connection, and Ancestral Living skills my entire life. We both knew I would follow in his footsteps early on. He spent the next 40+ years filling me with knowledge. Much of it has never appeared in any classes. I was told not to release some information until he took his final walk. I am finally in the proper space mentally to start sharing some of this information.
No one can debate the fact that my father's teachings have impacted hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of humans and all our relations of countless brothers, sisters, and others from the more-than-human world, sparking a modern renaissance in ancestral skills, nature connection, the philosophy of living close to the Earth, and environmental conservation. As I travel across the country in my trusty Subaru Crosstrek, “Rolling Turtle” (if anyone from Subaru reads this, do you want to sponsor me by rebuilding the front end of my car? lol), I’m meeting many of our former students and colleagues, each with their own story of transformation that was due to my father’s teachings.
Listening to these stories has inspired me to expand the scope of the documentary about my father. I have also decided to write a biography, weaving his life's profound impact with the voices of those carrying his teachings forward. Every conversation deepens my appreciation for his legacy and strengthens my resolve to see these projects through while teaching my online and in-person classes.
I haven't even begun documenting anything other than writing yet—my first interview will be with my “Bruncle” Jon Young. He and his partner Sara have graciously opened their home to me and allowed me to live in my micro-motor home in their driveway until I officially start my tour. They are feeding me well. I forgot what it was like to eat more than once a day!
Teaching and Sharing from the Road
One of the beautiful Turkeys that abound in the area!
As a Nature educator, I have spent over 26 years teaching the skills I learned growing up at the Tracker school, with my unique twist. Between my teaching and photography, my vision is to open people's eyes to the majesty around them, trying to instill my love for the natural world in my students.
When I first left Tracker School in the fall of 2009, I formed the Primitive Arts Collective. I would travel the country, teaching individuals and small groups private classes on specific subjects or skill sets. It was so successful. I had a waiting list, but then the dreaded business skills made it not so fun anymore. For the past 11 years, I have chosen to work for other organizations. Ever since I founded FutureNature (as well as T3Photography and now Trackolytes), I have been baffled as to why things have been such a struggle. As part of my market research, I've taken many online classes, and in my opinion, my classes are more information-dense and interactive. Yet, my registrations are dismal and are not "paying the bills.” I've also listened to countless interviews and read many books on business, and according to all of them, I should be incredibly successful. Yet here I sit, nearly penniless, dreading upcoming bills. I wish I could hit the reset button and start over with my savings intact and all the new knowledge I’ve gained. I would indeed be unstoppable.
Part of this is because I am not a businessperson, nor do I have the resources for marketing, as my first attempt cost me my life savings. I made the foolish mistake of putting all my eggs in one basket, only to realize that the basket was poorly constructed and woven of misinformation and falsehoods, leading to the most challenging 3 1/2 years of my life. But I believe in my vision and my experience.
Once again, I am calling out for someone who wants to invest in me and my vision so that I can focus on what I do best and not spend many hours spinning my wheels on a problem that someone with the proper information could solve in moments. I'm in a position where I am close to losing everything for a second time. That's why I am ever so grateful to those of you who have donated to my campaign, offered me crucial business advice, or helped me in any way, shape, or form. I will provide a special class for all donors to my campaign when it ends. In the meantime, I will do my monthly “Freecast” online free sessions. These may be about a story, a specific skill, or a location I happen to find myself. And well, I only have one scheduled a month. I plan on doing several more spontaneous online events based on where I happen to be.
I am excited to share some news about the documentary about my father and the biography I've already started.
Speaking of the documentary, I am teaming up with David Ott from Tracker Audio and Stephen Gifford, a long-time student of the Tracker School. David and Stephen filmed over 200 hours of footage and interviews for a documentary about my father in 2012. A few months ago, I reached out to David because I have very little video footage of my father. Since then, we’ve decided that we will combine the interview footage I will capture on my cross-country trip, adding it to their original documentary! I’m incredibly excited about this, as the documentary they created is already epic! I also love the idea of working with a team to share the responsibility of telling an amazing story about my father’s legacy.
If you get a Starlink Internet setup and scan the above code we will each get a month of free service!
I will teach from some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes nationwide thanks to modern technology and incredible sponsors like Northern Focus Optical (Starlink) 23Zero rooftop tents and Goal Zero.
Starting next month, I’ll be starting my my2025 live-streamed class schedule. Some of the classes are:
The “All-in-one” 8 part (16 hours) Think of it as a two-hour introduction to everything skill set that I teach
Nature Photography Masterclass: Capturing stunning images with minimal gear.
Awareness: An immersive series designed to reconnect you with the natural world.
The Art and Science of Track Photography
And quite a few more.
You can also book me for private sessions here
You can also book me for a private in-person class when I am in a specific area!
You can find out more information about my classes on my schedule page
I’m offering a 40% Early Bird Special for one week to celebrate this new chapter! Enroll now to lock in this discount and secure your spot in the class that speaks to you. These classes are a labor of love, and your participation directly supports my work on the documentary and biography and ongoing travel to document and teach in wild places. The discount is applied at checkout!
The Challenges and Triumphs of Nomadic Life
Living as a digital nomad is an exercise in adaptability. I’ve had my share of hiccups—learning to juggle connectivity, video editing, and life in about 400 cubic feet has been a steep learning curve. But every challenge has been an opportunity to grow and refine my approach.
This lifestyle is exhilarating. I’ve been exploring backroads, photographing little-seen wild places, and meeting people who embody the ethos of living closer to the land. The magic of those moments makes every long day on the road worth it.
But this kind of work doesn’t come cheap. The travel, gear maintenance, and production equipment costs add up quickly, and I need your help to keep this vision alive.
One of my favorite Photos of all time!
How You Can Support the Mission
Enroll in a Class: Sign up for one of my live-streamed courses. Your tuition will get you a fantastic class, equip you with valuable skills, and directly fund the documentary and biography projects. I hate having to ask for donations. I have been an educator for almost 30 years and should have no problem filling classes.
Please donate to support the creation of my father’s documentary and biography. Regardless of size, every contribution brings us closer to telling this important story.
Share the Journey: Follow me on Instagram @tom_brown3 and Trackolytes on Facebook. Subscribe to my YouTube channel @FutureNature. Share posts, videos, and updates with your friends—spreading the word is a huge help.
Join the Community: Your encouragement means the world, whether you’re a fan of my father’s work, a fellow wilderness enthusiast, or someone looking for inspiration. I'll be looking for people to interview, so contact me if my father's teachings have changed your world and you would potentially like to be interviewed.
Looking Ahead with Optimism
I’ve always believed that nature has the power to heal, inspire, and connect us. This belief has only deepened over the past two months as I’ve seen how my father’s teachings continue to ripple through the lives of so many.
I’m confident that with your support, we can bring this vision to life. Together, we can honor a legacy, inspire a new generation, and deepen our connection to the wild places that sustain us.
Then there is all the memorabilia I'm trying to preserve. I have thousands of images and slides from the late 1970s to the mid-90s and countless other treasures of my family history. My end goal is to digitize most of it, make it available through my website, and adequately archive it to ensure that the Tracker schools' history is preserved. It's a pretty daunting task and pricey. I began the process a year ago but got overwhelmed by life. I'm ready to start the process again.
I also wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who participated in last week's event hosted by Tracker Audio. It's been hard to say goodbye to my father, but I feel him around me always. I'm thankful he taught me to always be in the now and gave me so many gifts that keep giving!
Here’s to the adventure ahead! Thank you for being part of this community, whether you’re joining a class, sharing a post, or pitching in to help fund the next phase of this journey.
Let’s keep exploring, learning, and growing—together.
Peace, love, joy, and purpose to you all.
Stay human,
T3, The Digi-Natural Nomad