Winter Naturalist Series: Ethnobotany & Wilderness Skills

Designed for adult individuals at any skill level who are interested in having fun outdoors this winter learning about plants, wildlife, wilderness skills, sustainable foraging, PNW winter ecology, and a bit of herbalism.

Each class will focus on both wilderness and naturalist skills to deepen your awareness of the natural world.

Lessons in this series:

• Medicinal and Edible Plants and Fungi

• Beginner Wildlife Track ID

• Ecological Awareness

• Fire building

• PNW Ethnobotany

• Winter Preparedness

  • Useful equipment and gear for outdoor adventures

  • Knife and ax skills

Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!

The series will take place outdoors on Northwest Natura Land next to Nooksack River (North Fork) and Boulder Creek near Maple Falls, WA.

Day 1: Riverside Resources
Saturday January 18th, 2025
11:45am to 4:30pm
Maple Falls, WA

• Ethnobotany

  • Cottonwood, willow

• Fungi Ecology

  • Learn what fungi are available to forage in winter, how to find them, and sustainable foraging practices.

• Wilderness Skills

  • Wildlife Tracking session with expert tracker, Mark Thompson

    • Casting tracks (take an animal track home with you)

      • Elk, black bear, cougar, coyote, raven, heron, bald eagle, and others may be found.

• Winter Preparedness Concepts

Day 2: Coniferous Woodland
Saturday February 15th, 2025
11:45am to 4:30pm
Maple Falls, WA

• Ethnobotany

  • Conifers

  • Spring harbingers (winter plant ID)

• Wilderness Skills

  • Firecraft

    • Build a strong fire in winter weather in your group of 3 or 4 people.

  • Knife and ax safety and practice session

  • Tips and practice using wild plants in first aid

    • Make a pine pitch salve outdoors

Day 3: Deciduous Woodlands
Saturday March 15th, 2025
12pm to 5pm
Maple Falls

• Ethnobotany

  • Revisit Spring Harbingers

  • Red Alder

• Wilderness Skills

  • Shelter basics, discussion and practice

  • Food resources discussion

• Wildlife Tracking

  • Make new observations and compare to January’s outing

  • Tracking Scavenger Hunt

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A word on PNW inclement winter weather:

Please note that if the forecasted weather is severe, the location could change to keep the class enjoyable and us safe (i.e. in case of gale force winds or “atmospheric river”, class may even be postponed if a venue is unavailable with short notice).

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Registered individuals will receive details in an event-reminder emails a few days prior to each event.