About Me — Jack Harrison Survival

My connection to the natural world began early….

Since the age of 10, I have been deeply immersed in wilderness living, wildlife tracking, and the study of natural systems. What began as fascination gradually evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding wildlife, landscape, and the practical skills required to move through wild places with awareness and competence.

For over 20 years, I have dedicated myself to field experience, observation, and hands-on learning across a variety of environments throughout California and the western United States. I taught my first class at age 16 as an assistant instructor teaching hand-drill friction fire making, and by 18 I began teaching professionally. Over the past 20+ years, I have worked with thousands of students, teaching wilderness survival, traditional outdoor skills, and the foundations of ecological awareness through direct experience in the field.

While survival instruction formed the foundation of my career, my work has increasingly evolved toward wildlife tracking, field biology, and conservation-focused applications of tracking and sign interpretation. I hold a Senior Tracker Certification through CyberTracker International and have worked as a biologist and wildlife researcher for the University of California, Berkeley, in addition to contributing to collaborative projects throughout California, including work alongside the National Park Service.

Today, my primary focus is applied wildlife tracking, ecological observation, and biological field support. I work as a consultant, tracker, and field researcher, assisting with wildlife monitoring, species detection, habitat observation, and conservation-oriented field projects. I also teach tracking courses designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of animal movement, behavior, and the ecological relationships written into the landscape.

At the center of my work is the belief that tracking is far more than an outdoor skill — it is a powerful tool for understanding wildlife, ecosystems, and our relationship to the natural world.

My Wikiup home, located deep in the santa cruz mountains.  Without camo it would have likely been vandalized as many of my primitive homes have. Under the camo is a spiraling pattern of large logs covered in bark, build over a 3 foot deep pit d… — My Wikiup home, located deep in the santa cruz mountains. Without camo it would have likely been vandalized as many of my primitive homes have. Under the camo is a spiraling pattern of large logs covered in bark, build over a 3 foot deep pit dug into the ground lined with sand and floor was eventually covered in large flat rocks (tile). Live Tan oak trees were woven in to further blend it in throughout the seasons.