Learn how to truly live off the land-eating edible wild plants, making a fire even without matches, building a basic shelter-and find yourself growing closer to the earth in the process. College of the Atlantic students will be offering this workshop on Saturday, Feb. 16. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., meeting in the college's George. B. Dorr Museum of Natural History.

"Imagine wilderness survival being a comfort, not a struggle; an art in and of itself," says Luka Negotia, one of five COA students who are sharing their training in the arts of survival with others. "Experience the essence of what it means to live the way our ancestors lived on the land, and how connected they were to the earth."

The workshop, for ages 14 to adult, is an introduction to the ways of wilderness survival. Participants will learn the basic skills needed to live comfortably in the wild. Among the skills that will be introduced are making fire without matches or lighters, shelter building, water gathering, wild edible plants, primitive traps and hunting tools, rock boiling, bowl making and cordage from natural fibers. Beyond introducing these skills, the workshop will help you learn how to efficiently practice them.

The workshop presenters, Negotia, Andrew Hov, Brianna Larsen, Dan Rueters-Ward and Becca Berezuk, have studied in various wilderness survival programs including Tom Brown Jr's Tracker School, Children of The Earth Foundation, The Vermont Wilderness School, Wilderness Awareness School and Red Fox Friends Wilderness School.

Participants are asked to preregister and to dress warmly. Bring many layers and extra clothing, since the workshop will meet at the museum, but then move outside for the entire day. Also bring a warm lunch and plenty of water. A notebook and pencil are recommended. Books and knives will be for sale at the end of the workshop.

The daylong workshop costs $15 for adults; $10 for students ages 14-17 and for museum members. Anyone under 18 must attend with an adult. To preregister, or for more information, call the Dorr Museum at 288-5395 or 288-5015 ext. 238.