Ernest Thompson Seton…

believed in using the natural world to teach respect, character building, and appreciation for beauty to all.
was a prolific author of over 40 books and countless articles in major magazines, a renowned artist – celebrated for his masterful depictions of wildlife.
passionately educated others about the wonders of nature through his books, artwork, and storytelling.
promoted outdoor education and environmental awareness through organizations for youth and adults in Woodcraft and Scouting programs.

Because I have known the torment of thirst I would dig a well where others may drink.

Recent News

Happy 166th Birthday Ernest Thompson Seton

Book Club

Sign up for the next book discussion – “Trail of the Sandhill Stag” on September 13th and “Animal Heroes” on October 25th.

Seton’s Plaster Poem from “Little Peequo” has a new home – Part 1

Little Peequo was the last home Seton built in Greenwich. This poem was created in July 1925. In summer 2024, this poem and other plaster art were extracted by members of the Camp Fire Club of America before the crumbling building was demolished. We are grateful to the CFCA for its commitment to preserving Seton’s ... Read more

A Poem: The Last Song

This poem was discovered at the end of Ernest Thompson Seton's 1930 journal.

Linda Mitchell Davis 1930 – 2024

We interviewed her in 2019 for the oral history project. When she was a young teenager, she would listen to ETS tell stories about animals when he visited a library in Albuquerque during WWII. Her interview is posted at https://youtu.be/jHdvLZMIBW0. Wishing her family and friends our condolences. May her memory be a blessing to all ... Read more

Announcing a New Webinar Series: Institute Research and Findings Webinar Series

Click Here to Register Join Ron Edmonds* on Sunday, February 18, 2024, for the new webinar series featuring the Woodcraft Expedition that was jointly sponsored by the Woodcraft League of America and the American Museum of Natural History in 1927. The expedition team, led by Ernest Thompson Seton and Clyde Fisher, included seven people from ... Read more

Thank You for Your Support

We are deeply gratified for your continuing support to spread E. T. Seton’s legacy across the world. His practical ideas about respecting nature and building character are needed now more than ever. We cannot do this without you. If you haven’t yet, please renew your membership, today!

Wabanaki School, Round Hill Road, Greenwich, Connecticut 1915 - 1919

Wabanaki School 1915 – 1919

Nature focused school that used Seton's Woodcraft.

Woodcraft Accommodation in the Barton’s Backyard

In the early 1940s, H. Allen Barton built a teepee using the instructions found in the Birch Bark Roll, the Woodcraft League of America’s handbook. The Bartons challenged their two children to sleep in the teepee for 30 consecutive days which would have each earned a Woodcraft coup, had Woodcraft still been active in the ... Read more

Happy Anniversary Woodcraft Movement 124 years!

Woodcraft Memories

Prompted by listening to one of the oral histories, Dr. Maida Barton Follini provided us with the following: Below is the tepee made by my father, H. Allen Barton, following the instructions in Seton’s Book of Woodcraft. The covering was of canvas ordered from Sears & Roebuck, (not deer skins or bison skins as we ... Read more

Questions to Ponder at Year’s End

Dee Seton Barber wrote volumes of poetry. This one we share as 2021 ends. (Originally published in Woodcraft is Lifecraft, 2nd Annual International Woodcraft Communication, 1993.) At Year’s End – The Woodcraft Way by Dee Seton Barber Have I grown in wisdom – tried to understand? Given of myself – offered all an open hand? ... Read more

Seton and Indigenous Peoples

Seton as an Artist

Student internship sponsors needed! Please donate to our projects on Giving Tuesday. Seton was trained as an artist and specialized in wildlife art.

Seton and Youth Education

Youth programs established or influenced by Seton include Boy Scouts of America, Boy Scouts (UK), Camp Fire Organization, Girl Scouts of the USA, Woodland Folk, and others.

Seton’s Nature-centric Philosophy

Antiquities Act article in the Santa Fe New Mexican

The Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce is producing bi-weekly podcasts. This week, Carmichael Gutierrez, Antiquities Act researcher, will talk about the importance of the Act. His article appears in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Google Arts and Culture page on ETS as an artist

Although the cover image is of John Burroughs, the brief content of this article is about Seton as an artist. Check it out!

Loren Baum Hintz – Woodcrafter and WWII Pilot

An update…The Hintz/Wronka family have produced a film on Loren’s life titled “Finding Loren”. It has a section on his work with Seton and Woodcraft in Santa Fe and in Los Angeles. Google “Finding Loren” to learn more. Original Post – Loren Hintz became woodcrafter as a teenager and spent three summers at the College ... Read more

In celebration and support of North American Indigenous cultures

Seton said, “In our search for the ideal outdoor life, we cannot do better than indigenous peoples with their reverence and carefully cultured physique, as a model for the making of adults, and as a pattern for our youth who would achieve adulthood with the added graces of courtesy, honor, and truth.” –from “Spartans ... Read more