I never realized how truly simple it can be to introduce healing herbs into my life in an every day way. -Kat K.
What are all of those wild green plants growing around you? Did you know that many of them can provide you with nutrition or healing medicines? Plant identification and safety are only the beginning. You will develop a relationship with plants as you make tinctures and salves and entire wild edible plant meals with these green friends. (View our Edible and Medicinal Plants Courses)
Wilderness Awareness School offers classes that will introduce you to the most common and useful wild plants of the Pacific Northwest, as well as in-depth courses that will teach you how to delve deeper into the plants of your area.
Here are just a few of the topics you can learn: Taxonomy and identification of plants; researching native use of plants in crafts and as food and medicine; prediction of plant species location based on knowledge of ecology; interplay of extremes and bird’s eye viewing of land features; conservation ecology; the history of the land and the native people’s staple resources.
Some articles of interest from our NatureSkills.com site:
- Deadly Plant: Water Hemlock - by Walter Muma
- White Pine: Great Tree of Peace - by Susun S. Weed
- Plant Quiz 1: Are Your Paying Close Attention? - by Eileen VanBronkhorst
Wild Edible Plant Class Schedule
Weekend Courses
This course will be a solid introduction to the skills and knowledge necessary to live through a short-term wilderness survival situation – under 72 hours. Topics will include basic gear that you need, survival priorities, and most importantly, how to maintain an upright mind. We will teach essential skills like building a fire, making a life-saving shelter, purifying water, navigation, hygiene, and wild edibles.
Ages 18+ $195, February 8-9, 2013 9am-5pm each day
Ages 18+ $195, May 11-12, 2013 9am-5pm each day
Ages 18+ $195, July 27-28, 2013 9am-5pm each day
More details & online registration
Home Study
The Kamana Naturalist Training Program is a comprehensive independent study course that covers the naturalist background needed to engage in the wilderness arts, including tracking, bird language, survival and primitive living skills, traditional herbalism, and naturalist mentoring.
Ages Adult Kamana One starts at $85, Learn at your own pace
More details & online registration
Monthly
Many of the region’s finest naturalists share their wisdom at REI in downtown Seattle. Plant related topics appear often in this series.
Ages Adult Free, Wilderness Awareness School is featured periodically