Helping you build a meaningful, hands-on connection with nature

Montreal, QC

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Welcome to Wise Oak Wilderness

We offer in-person nature classes for adults,
 in Montreal and Kahnawake. 

Our specialties include foraging, outdoor cooking, and bushcraft.

Our classes are bilingual and open to all experience levels.

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Hi, I'm Jesse, founder of Wise Oak.

These courses have grown from my lifelong quest to deeply understand the living world. I’ve been growing my foraging and wilderness skills for 15 years, from curious dabbling to getting professional training and going on remote expeditions. I believe hands-on interaction with the land can move us towards a more regenerative relationship with nature. Click here to find out more.

If you’re ready to build a hands-on connection with nature, let's make it happen.

Who is this for?

This might be for you if…

  • You live in the city, but you want a lifestyle that’s closer to nature.

  • You love books like Braiding Sweetgrass, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, The Hidden Life of Trees, and The Overstory.

  • You want to understand the land you live on, including its indigenous past and present. 

  • Theoretical knowledge sticks best for you when you get your hands dirty. You don’t just want to read or watch YouTube; you want to do.

  • You can’t quite find the time, places, or friends to organize your own outings. You’d enjoy just showing up without needing to plan. 

  • You appreciate a bilingual and multicultural space where we bounce between English, French, and “Franglish”.

  • You’re looking for a community of like-minded people to learn with. 

What this is not about…

  • It’s not about appropriating indigenous spirituality or role-playing as native. Our indigenous hosts and guest instructors might not share certain parts of their cultures.

  • None of our instructors are all-knowing gurus. You might hear “I don’t know” and “it depends” often. 

  • This is likely not a good fit for “lone wolf” survivalist types. We can teach you realistic survival skills, but our approach is collaborative, not competitive. 

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Classes & Courses

Spring 2025

Forest Feast

{March 29th - June 7th​
in Kahnawake}

Treat yourself to a season of savouring

Forage wild edible plants, cook delicious food with fire, and learn about indigenous food culture from our Kanienkeha'ka guest instructors.

6 bimonthly classes, on Saturdays
Learn More

Firekeepers

{March 22 to June 1st
in Kahnawake}

Challenge yourself with a season of skills

Learn practical wilderness living and bushcraft techniques, and then put it all together with a weekend campout on wild land.

5 bimonthly classes, on Saturdays
2-night final campout
Learn More

Current seasonal course

Winter Wise

{Kahnawake & Kamouraska}

Make Friends With Winter

Learn how to thrive outdoors in winter through a series of skills workshops in Kahnawake, followed by the Mini-Expedition near Kamouraska.

Classes: Jan 11, 25 Feb 8
Mini Expedition: Feb 20-23{SOLD OUT}
Learn More

Short intro classes

Nature Walks

{Mount Royal}
2.5 hrs long
Bite-size workshops to get more nature in your life
Upcoming:
March 23rd, 1:00-3:30pm
Learn More
"Jesse is an incredible teacher. His patience, attentiveness, and caring guidance made me feel at ease. Jesse has a clear and abundant love for the outdoors, which has encouraged me to deepen my own connection with nature"
– Elisabeth Blokker
– Elisabeth Blokker
"Jesse's approach is relaxed, inclusive, and encouraging, and he successfully supports students in expanding their knowledge, building their skills, and strengthening their connection to all things nature."
– Lacy Alana
– Lacy Alana
"I was lucky enough to do two rounds of courses with Jesse. I learned so much, met so many great people, and will carry the knowledge with me the rest of my life."
– Claire Callway
– Claire Callway
"I am better attuned to nature, my surroundings and find calm knowing that I can adapt to being alone in the forest."
– Joy Snow

The site in Kahnawake

We are grateful to be able to host most of our programs on Kanien’kehá ka (Mohawk) territory, in our friend Kawisente Carole McGregor’s forested backyard. We share the site with Kawisente’s family, our colleagues at Coyote Programs, and many plant and animal neighbours. 

Getting there

Driving: From Montreal, it’s a 20-45 minute drive to Kahnawake depending on your starting point and traffic. Morning traffic on the weekends is typically fine.

Carpooling: We set up an online carpooling sheet to help participants organize rides, and this  works out quite well. 

Other Options: In rare instances where carpooling doesn’t work out, we suggest renting a Communauto.

*Detailed directions will be provided upon registration 

Amenities

The site is situated in a beautiful mature Eastern Hardwood forest that provides an ideal outdoor classroom. 

Amenities are basic, but that’s where our bushcraft skills come in. We have a fire circle and log benches, large rain tarps if it rains, water jugs for drinking and handwashing, and an outhouse for bathroom duties. It’s like being in a wilderness base camp, right beside the city. 

Please let us know if you have any specific accessibility needs. 

Cultural Respect

Kahnawake is the territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka nation. Our host, Kawisente Carole McGregor, has generously invited us to offer classes at her home with the goal of cross-cultural learning and exchange. 

As guests, it’s important to come with a respectful attitude and behaviour, both at classes and when visiting Kahnawake. 

 

Wise Oak is not an Indigenous-run company. We do, however, have Indigenous instructors in class on a regular basis, and centering Indigenous knowledge systems is an important part of our work. 

If you are Kahnawakehro:non, or Indigenous from another place and have questions or want to participate, please reach out.

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