Imagine having the knowledge to safely find food in any natural spot around the city or in any forest. Your front lawn will never look the same, and a walk in the park may have you adding incredibly healthy and tasty wild edibles to your evening salad on a regular basis. This class will change how and what you eat, and how you see the living world you walk past every day. It is an introduction to the local wild edibles of the area aiming to start a relationship with the native (and non-native) plants under our noses every day, and how they can be utilized and taken care of to our mutual benefit. The class begins to explore how we can wild-craft and harvest right here in the city, as well as abroad. Local hazards, poisonous look-alikes, field guide use, harvesting, and preparing various local plants will all be covered as part of the weekend. Time will be spent both in the classroom setting, and out in the field learning, gathering, and eating wild edibles.

Trackers can gain astounding amounts of information from the clues left behind by a person, animal or event. The trained eye can gather clues from reading various signs and indicators within the environment to determine information such as species, size, weight, speed, direction, body movements (external and internal) and much more! This art and science opens up a whole new way of looking at the places around us, both natural and urban. Often practiced in the wilderness, the urban environment provides plenty of opportunities to develop tracking skills as well. Foxes, raccoons, coyotes, squirrels, and others living within the local area leave behind of signs of their actions, while people add entirely new dimensions. The opportunity for learning is immense, and will ensure that you’ll never be bored again! There is always something happening around you, and always questions begging to be asked and answered. Begin to see the world around with a new perspective, and gain a greater understanding of the place in which you live.

Seasoned Tracker Alexis Burnett of EarthTracks will be teaching this workshop.