writing
Plant Walks
WILD PLANT WALKS
grow your ecological fluency
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Join us for a series of seasonal plant walks in the Snoqualmie Valley.
We will learn about wild plants by the elemental conditions they respond to: WATER, FIRE + WOOD. Getting to know plants in this way helps us build a slow, deep understanding of the story of a landscape—how it is shaped and always evolving—and how plant communities create life and ecological function within its current chapter. This approach also helps us see more clearly how we can support that story as land stewards and gardeners.
On each walk, we will use all our senses to learn basic plant ID, ethnobotany and concepts of ecological design and succession. We will build intimacy with a seasonal selection of Pacific Northwest plants and explore how they interact with wildlife, humans, and fungi (i.e. as food, craft, medicine, shelter, etc). We will also grow our observation skills to help us orient to any landscape.
SPRING 2024 PLANT WALKS
dates:
march 20, 27 + april 3, 10, 17, 24
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time:
4-6pm
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weekly topics:
WATER
mar 20 flowing water – cottonwood, willow, salmonberry and more.
mar 27 resting water – spiraea, red twig dogwood, cattail, horsetail and more.
WOOD
apr 3 forest edge – thimbleberry, salal, tall oregon grape and more.
apr 10 forest understory – sword fern, western red cedar, douglas fir and more.
FIRE / FRICTION
apr 17 disturbance + native plants – fireweed, goldenrod, red alder and more.
apr 24 disturbance + weedy plants – Himalayan blackberry, reed canary grass, dandelion and more.
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more info:
This is not a foraging class, but we will discuss herbalism, edible landscapes, and ethical wildcrafting. We will not be harvesting plants together.
The intention of this series is to provide a foundation for building vibrant, diverse, resilient and culturally-humble landscapes in the Snoqualmie Valley. We will center the ongoing reality of colonization in the story of this landscape, and the importance of Indigenous land rematriation for thriving cultural ecologies. A percentage of ticket sales are redistributed to the Tend, Gather & Grow project—my own first teachers about Coast Salish cultural ecosystems. Visit their website to learn about and support their important work: www.wild.goodrub.org.
Who: This plant walk series is for adults and young people (ages 10+) with an adult. If this limits your enthusiastic interest to attend, please let me know.
Participation is limited to 18.
Where: Various locations in the Snoqualmie Valley. Address and other details provided upon registration. Please note that some locations may require a Discover Pass—not covered in the cost of the plant walk.
Cost: $35/plant walk or $200/all six (save $10) + ticket fees.
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Get your tickets below.
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Contact me if you need financial assistance. No one turned away for lack of funds. No refunds are available. Thanks for understanding. A percentage of each ticket cost is redistributed to the Tend, Gather & Grow project.
To bring: Your curiosity + wonder, weather appropriate clothing, snacks, and water. Some enjoy bringing a notebook and writing utensil and/or photo device.
Physical safety: Please alert your instructor of any known plant or insect allergies in advance of the plant walk.
Access: Many plant walk locations will be on uneven ground, some with gravel or loose rocks. We will travel on pathways that range from two to seven feet wide. Nearly all sites are relatively flat. Weather conditions may make the ground slick or less sturdy. Many sites do not have a restroom near the parking area. One site is accessed by a pothole-heavy road. Please reach out if you have other questions or concerns.
I hope to see you there!
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💚 Katie