The Safety, Spirituality, and Ethics of Foraging is part monologue/storytelling, part discussion, and part plant and mushroom identification walk. When working with plants and fungi and ecosystems, I believe that one must think very strongly about the reciprocal nature of relationships. I've become increasingly concerned as foraging grows in popularity that people won't learn about the give-and-take as they get caught up in "the thrill of the chase" and potential capitalistic gains which come from "discovery" and harvest.
This will be a 3-hour class with an indoor presentation at the beginning and an outdoor "walk and talk" identification portion at the end.
I will detail my process of coming to be a forager and generally more feral human despite making my home in North Philly; different spiritual experiences I've had and lessons I've received while foraging and seeking new wisdom from wild places; safety concerns when learning and especially when becoming more experienced; ethical considerations of how, when, and what to harvest, and identification help for whichever things I can find and comfortably identify on site at Bartram's Garden. I'll come prepared with my collection of ID books for everyone to share, and all attendees will receive a list of resources.
*No one turned away for lack of funds, and cash or card accepted at the door. E-mail [email protected] if necessary.