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Welcome to the web site of Arthur Haines and the Delta Institute of Natural History, a source for New England plant taxonomy and nomenclature, wild food and medicine instruction, primitive living skills mentoring, and natural history lessons.  A schedule of classes and speaking engagements is available on the Learn page.  To arrange for an event, use the Contact page.

A major focus of the Delta Institute of Natural History is developing self-reliance that promotes awareness and eco-conscientiousness.  This necessitates drawing on technologies that were first perfected many millennia ago, in some cases, prior to the emergence of Homo sapiens as a species.  These technologies, often referred to as primitive skills or ancestral life ways, are the only technologies that have demonstrated they are sustainable. Further, they nourished and healed the body, produced a healthy and vital next generation, and promoted connection to the landscape (rather than distinction from).  These outcomes were accomplished through an education system that fostered the development of important human characteristics, beginning with the perfection of nature-based skills, and progressing to thoughtful practices, ceremony, and, ultimately, service beyond self.  Connect with the Delta Institute to understand how these skills are effective, timely, and rejuvenative.
Do you want to stay connected?  Join the community to receive occasional newsletters regarding foraging strategies, self reliance, and traditional health practices.
     

Upcoming Events

• Lecture at the Long Branch School of Maine, 4 February 2012, starting at 4:00 pm.  Click here for more information (scroll down on the page).

• A Delta Institute t-shirt is now in production (will soon be available) featuring organic cotton fabric and earth-friendly inks.  The design is below.

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  Are you Feral or Fragile?
 
Being a feral human is about pushing your awareness, intellect, body, and emotions.  For each person, these challenges are different.  For most, it begins with bringing nutrient-dense wild food to the dinner table, to heal the many ailments that contemporary life creates and/or exacerbates.  But being a feral human isn't solely about foraging.  It is also understanding that nature doesn't have a thermostat, and that it is acceptable to experience discomfort in our lives (even if for just a brief moment now and again).  Many of us realize that we need to experience discomfort during exercise in order to ultimately build stronger muscles and bones.  The same is true when it comes to building
 



The Delta Institute of Natural History cooperates with several schools, associations, and individuals for classes.  The Maine Primitive Skills School is one of those important partners.		 nature strength.  Experiencing cold, heat, rain, and wind also strengthens our bodies (but in a different manner).  Some people will need to plunge themselves in freezing water to experience an appropriate level of challenge.  Others will need only to walk to the mailbox without being completely bundled in clothing (i.e., the level of challenge is personal, similar to developing a weight-lifting or exercise program specific for your build, age, gender, and experience).  Part of being a wild human is adapting to the local landscape and its climate.  Adaptation takes many forms and years to master the skills necessary to be aware and comfortable in the wild.  Start that path today by rewilding those aspects of your life that you can.  Experience the earth firsthand—not through the window of your home.  Nit Leyic (may that be the truth)!