Gender Diversity in Nature
Plants, Animals, Fungi...the natural world has evolved over hundreds of millions of years to support successful reproduction and what works survives. So it's common to have 'redundancy' so if one approach is not successful there are backups. On this walk we will explore gender diverse strategies for success in the natural world. And.....it's amazing!!!
Take a walk in the woods to explore how gender diversity is embedded in resiliency strategies for many members of the world community living on land, in the water and flying through the air.
Procreation in the natural world is diverse. While in general there are two genders; male and female; at their most basic level they can be understood and a little gametes and big gametes. Usually the little gamete is classified as male and the large gamete as female. After that it gets complicated fast! We'll explore the strategies that plants, fungi, mammals, fish birds and more utilize to reproduce and successfully raise their young generation after generation including species that utilize one or multiple strategies including, but not limited to--
Species with two genders; mail and female
Species that are both mail and female,
Species where individuals change gender, usually in response to some external stressor
Species with multiples of the same gender
Species with conventional and unconventional parenting strategies
Cloning
We will also consider how biases in any culture can influence scientific findings.
Length: 2-3 hours, clear skies to moderate rain.
Southern and Lakes Region Locations for walks and activities in Maine include: Emmons Preserve in Kennebunkport, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Clifford Park, Biddeford, Two Lights or Crescent Beach State Parks, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth Forest Preserve, Falmouth, Donnabeth Lippman Park, Windham. Raymond Community Forest and other Loon Echo Land Trust Lands and Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal (near Freeport). This is not a comprehensive list. Other state and town parks and lands are available. Properties that are privately held or owned by nonprofit organizations are also possible on a case by case basis.
Rates
January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
$55 per person 2-3 hour walk twelve or more participants
$60 per person 2-3 hour walk, seven to eleven participants
$65 per person 2-3 hour walk three - six participants
$85 per person2-3 hours one-two participants.
Available daily based on availability. Must be reserved
a minimum of three days in advance.
Half day and full day flat rates provided upon request. These are generally used when the cost of the walk is paid for by an organization and individuals participate at no cost.
Next Step: Click on the button below to fill out a form and we'll schedule a walk.
