What to Expect:

Little or no herbal experience is needed for a glimpse into the world of foraging, and foraging will spark an enthusiasm for a lifelong path of learning. By the end of the Wild Foraging Course, you will understand the ways in which the herbal approach can support radiant wellness, and you will feel more comfortable and excited about collecting, making and using your own teas and berries with your foraged goods. Practical, easy to follow recipes and guides will be included in the course.

Weekend 1 (Spring)

Day 1. We will meet in the classroom and start to learn. Topics on day 1 will include introduction to foraging, foraging safety, ethical considerations, regulations and legal considerations. You will likely be in the class for the morning. In the afternoon, the plant identification course will start and will primarily be outdoors and include hands-on learning. You will want to come prepared to be outside rain or shine.

Day 2. On this day, we will introduce a plant identification list, look-alike plants, and also toxic and poisonous plants in our region. This will be in the classroom. In the afternoon, we will head outside to go over foraging techniques and tools. We will ensure we have time to come back to the classroom to go over collecting and drying, and some recipes.

** Optional Foraging Hikes **

These hikes will focus on the plant list we give out on Day 2. We will forage together. The exact locations will be determined closer to the date and be sent out to registered participants.

Weekend 2 (Fall)

Day 3. This day will be focused on a workshop day going over everyone’s collections. We will also bring in a guest speaker this day.

Day 4. We will have another guest speaker this day. We will finish the day with recipe sharing and a potluck.

Location: 

Weekend 1 (Day 1 and 2): Crowsnest Pass, Alberta

** Optional foraging hikes: TBD based on conditions, some locations maybe on private property and around 1hr drive from Crowsnest Pass.

Weekend 2 (Day 3 and 4): Crowsnest Pass, Alberta

Meeting Location: The exact location of the Wild Foraging Course will be sent out closer to the date of the course. You can expect that the indoor portion will be in either Coleman or Blairmore, Crowsnest Pass and the outdoor portions will be a short drive away.

** On the optional foraging and hiking trips, these locations will be specific to how the plants are growing that year. Your instructors will be scouting out locations throughout the summer so that you can utilize your time outdoors. These locations will be shared with you closer to the date. Expect locations to be up to an hour drive from Crowsnest Pass.

Tentative Times:

Weekend 1 & 2: 9AM to 4PM, with a lunch break

** Optional foraging hikes: 9AM to 4PM (outside and on trail)

Physical Difficulty Rating: For the ** optional foraging hikes, the difficulty is rated as intermediate. You will have long days, be carrying everything to forage and what you forage, and some elevation will be expected. The course over the weekend will require some walking and bending over or kneeling down, however, it will not be strenuous.