Have you ever wondered how to help bees thrive? Bees are more than just honey-makers—they are foundational pollinators in our ecosystems, responsible for fertilizing around one-third of the crops we consume. On Long Island, where human development often pushes up against natural spaces, bees hold the line between abundance and ecological collapse. Yet pollinators are in trouble. Habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and climate change have all contributed to steep declines in both managed and wild bee populations.

Exploring traditional games from cultures around the world.

Primitive to Practical: Emergency Shelter Techniques In a true survival situation, shelter isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Exposure to the elements can become life-threatening within hours, especially in extreme cold, wind, or rain. If you're heading into the wilderness, preparing for emergencies, or just brushing up on outdoor skills, knowing how to build a solid shelter can be the difference between comfort and catastrophe.

Brew Your Own Root Beer Traditional Root Beers, Birch Beers, and Ginger Beers: A Taste of the Past Before soda fountains and modern soft drinks dominated the beverage scene, communities around the world enjoyed naturally fermented drinks made from roots, herbs, barks, and spices. These old-world brews not only satisfied a sweet tooth but also offered nutritional and medicinal benefits. Today, we explore the fascinating world of traditional root beers, birch beers, and ginger beers—their histories, how they were made, and how you can make your own.

The Possum Mindset: A New Way to Walk the Land There’s a subtle but powerful difference between walking through nature and moving with it. At Forgotten Skillz, we teach that survival isn't just about gear or knowledge—it’s about presence, adaptability, and the ability to notice what others miss. This is the heart of what we call the Possum Mindset.

Colonial Cooking: Rediscovering Outdoor Heritage In a world of modern stoves, prepackaged meals, and microwave dinners, there’s something deeply grounding about colonial cooking and preparing a meal the way our ancestors did—with fire, iron, and instinct. Historical cooking, especially from the colonial American period, is more than a novelty. It’s a chance to connect with the rhythms of the natural world, learn practical survival skills, and bring forgotten flavors back to life.

Reconnecting with the Land: The Forgotten Skill of Foraging Foraging on Long Island is more than just gathering wild plants—it’s a practice that has sustained humanity for thousands of years. Long before supermarkets and industrial agriculture, our ancestors relied on their knowledge of the land to find food and medicine. Every civilization, from the Indigenous peoples of North America to early European settlers, carried deep traditions of harvesting from nature’s pantry.