Posted by Robin Wheeler

May 8/9 - Roberts Creek - just 20 minutes from the Langdale ferry terminal, accessible by city bus.

Hone your outdoor skills in a relaxing and supportive environment. Take any number of classes, camp on site ($5) or stay with friends.

Register? Questions? : Connect with info@ediblelandscapes.ca or call Robin at 604-885-4505

Saturday, May 8 – Edible Landscapes site – 1732 Pell Road, Roberts Creek

9:30 – 11:00 Introduction to Wild Edibles with Annette Clarke

Easy to identify plants that do not need any complicated cooking methods are the topic of this course. An emphasis is placed on respectful collection and proper identification of the food plants. Different plants are growing and ripening with each season. Topics change slightly depending on the time of the year. We will cover berries, wild weeds and edible trees. $25

11:15 – 1:30 pm Wild Containers with Annette Clarke (bring brown bag or order $4 snack lunch to eat during this class)
We may find ourselves in the bush, wanting to carry berries, mushrooms or other precious finds. Annette will show us samples of various containers made from bark, leaves and vines that will last for years. Container materials will be: Grass, Leaves, Sedges and Rushes, Cattail and Birch bark. We won’t make all the different container types, but I will bring them all for showing the options and then pick one simple version (Leaf or Grass) and a Cattail container to make ourselves. $25

2:00 pm – two events occurring at two locations –

Option 1: 2:00 - 5:00 - Into the Wild with Peter Light (off site – 2692 Highway 101 - Carpooling can be arranged, camping available at Peter’s.)

Covers most of the resources one can find close to our doorsteps in our west coast woods. Learn how to recognize the principal trees in our forest; spot useful old, moss-covered logs for multiple uses; process cedar poles and beams for all your building needs; split cedar shakes for roofs and walls – in short, how to go into the woods and harvest all you need for a FREE house, barn, shed, bench, fence, gate, handle, etc., etc., as well as a FREE supply of fuel to heat your home and cook your food. Learn, too, of more unsuspected wealth that lurks among the trees! Includes an introduction to the hand tools you will need to harvest these resources. $30 - $45 sliding scale

5:30 to 7:00 - Cook-out around Peter’s doorstep firecircle. Instructor will contribute hearty soup and bread for all.

7:00 onward - Firecircle hang-out. Some beer, wine and smoke provided for all. Sleep over optional. Please register. A prerequisite for this course is to read the segment of the instructor’s autobiographical sketch to be found at http://slas.ca/peter-light/

Option 2: 2:00 – 4:00 WILD PIGMENTS - Colouring with plants and minerals with Annette Clarke (or: how to make the best out of a berry stain)
Colours made from charcoal and clay earth pigments such as red and yellow ochre have been used worldwide since prehistoric times. In this course we will make red, orange, yellow, white and black oil paint from minerals and pollen and purple and red water paints. All materials used are local, easy to find and lots of fun to work with.
The course also includes the making of your own brush from a small branch or twig, as well as handouts and all materials needed. $25.

Sunday, May 9 (Edible Landscapes site – 1732 Pell Road)

10 – noon Native Plant Technology with Cymba
The workshop will consist of a walk around the area to identify plants that were (are) commonly used in various technological ways (providing materials for cordage, adhesives, shelters, clothing, tools etc. Samples of important materials from off-site will also be provided for discussion. In a hands-on component we will play with simple tool construction (includes binding and gluing). * The exact nature of these workshops will vary according to interaction between participants. We will attempt to cover all materials and the instructor is willing to spend more time if participants feel a need. $25

1: 00 – 2:30 Wild Medicines and Wildcrafting Skills with Robin Wheeler

Beginner class for harvesting wild medicines. We will learn some recognition techniques, identify common wild medicines, take samples, and learn some uses. We’ll learn sustainable and respectful wildcrafting techniques, plus how to dry and store berries, leaves, roots and flowers for highest quality results. We’ll drink teas and apply poultices. $25

3:00 – onwards Fire! with Kim Wilkinson
Rekindle your relationship with fire in this 1.5 hour course for beginners on fire-making in a wilderness living or survival situation. We’ll start with basic concepts tinder and spark with modern methods and materials. Then we’ll try our hands at ancestral techniques including flint & steel and finally bow & drill friction fire with natural materials. We’ll discuss respectful gathering of tinder, cordage, and wood materials, and how fire interacts with other survival priorities including water, shelter, food, and emotional health. Be aware that when we work with ancestral skills we are not guaranteed to “make” a fire—fire is a gift that comes from a relationship. Bring a sense of gratitude and join us to experience the wonder of fire! $25

5:00 onwards Dinner at the fire pit. We will enjoy our wild edibles, harvested teas, bannock, fish and homemade wine. $3.00 per person or contribution to above.

You are warmly invited to a hands-on Sustainable Living Arts School Learning Party….

The Nutritious Nettle Learning Party!

….with nettle-gatherer and home medicine-maker Keira McPhee

Wednesday, April 7^th, 1-2:30 pm

I love plants, but I don’t know my nettles very well. They like to live in sunny, wet places, and the sun can be scarce in Lynn Valley. It’s time for a trek over into the wilds of Burnaby to learn about and harvest some nettles! I’m eager to collect and learn about the uses of these delicious and nutritious plants. We will share our tips and tricks for harvesting and preparing nettles. Tricia

Children are welcome!

Our guide for the day: Keira McPhee

“I am a non-denominational kitchen witch kind of herbalist who is most devoted to my nourishing weeds- those plants that provide abundant food and medicine right outside my door.  These past couple of years I’ve grown and prepared enough teas to last me throughout the year from my urban garden and from foraging. My son and I drink a LOT of tea. (My partner less so but he digs the herbal ice teas in summer.)

I learn first and foremost from the plants that grow abundantly about me, in my garden, in my neighbourhood and in the forests close to the city, as well as from the  herbalists and plant freaks I encounter through learning parties.  But nettles first  came to me in a book I’ve been rereading and consulting for 15 years,  Susun Weed’s “Healing Wise” (google her, she’s got a mammoth and very helpful shaggy garden of a website.)   Nettles called, and I started buying them in bulk. Nettle and raspberry leaf tea was my everyday drink while I was pregnant and nursing.  Now I forage for nettles every spring and because I am an insane gardener, even grow them in my backyard. They are my favourite all-round spring nourishing food/medicine and I look forward to sharing them with you.”

Location: Near Burnaby Lake. Address will be emailed to registered participants 3 days before the learning party.

Cost: $10. 

Register: http://nettlelearningparty.eventbrite.com/

Please pass around where appropriate!

Two days of herb nerds! What could be better? We’ll learn recognition skills, making basic medicines, native herbs, harvest and storage techniques and more $25 per class.- take one or take all. You can either pay by Visa or Mastercard  via Paypal right away or mail her a cheque. 80% of student fees go directly to the teachers, with another 10% for preparing for classes and promotion.  Attending these workshops is a direct way to support folks who live on the land and keep the skills and traditions of the sustainable living arts alive.

If you are part of a family or group of friends who would like to learn and practice together, get in touch with Robin to arrange group pricing. Edible Landscapes is a place to come to reconnect, learn, relax and get inspired on how we can increase our self-sufficiency…together. You can camp on the land, hike to the ocean, walk in the woods, wander the gardens, browse in the edible and medicinal plant nursery and medicine emporium.

To register, contact Robin at (604) 885-4505, or email (and she will invoice you via Paypal) – see details on other programs at slas.ca or ediblelandscapes.ca.

June 13

10:00 – 11:30    Herb Recognition and growing methods with Robin Wheeler
Seeing a plant bursting with vigour and swaying under the weight of the bees, instead of just in powdered form or tincture, is a great reminder that we are working with an integrated, energetic being when we make medicine. See, smell and taste some of the over 150 varieties of plants here so that you will more easily recognize them in the future. Take photos or leaf samples as that can help as well. We will discuss growing methods for those wishing to grow herbs at home.

11:45 – 1:00   Intro to Botany for Herbalists with Garliq

This class is designed to navigate the world of Green, to know why a plant is what it is and not a ‘look alike.’ We’ll learn to answer a few basic questions about flower and leaf structures that will enable us to be sure we’re working with the medicine we think we are. Please bring samples from Robin’s plant walk to help apply this learning directly.

1:00 – 1:45   Lunch – brown bag or order $6 snack lunch.

1:45 – 3:15   TBA – hopefully Infused oils and lotions with Barb Cotgrave of Halfmoon Herbals.

3:30 – 4:45  - Harvesting and Storage Techniques with Robin Wheeler
We will go outside and harvest leaves, stems and flowers, then go in and prepare them for drying. When we store herbs for any length of time, we want to use the best practices possible, know the problems that can occur and how to bypass them to retain high active levels in our medicine and culinary plants.

5:00 onwards – shared/potluck dinner.

7:00 – 8:30     Homeopathy and Herbs with Marlow Purves
Herbs and plants are a major remedy source in the homoeopathic pharmacopeia.  The herbs that have been used traditionally for thousands of years find new and different application when potentised.  Marlow will share some of the revelations of the remedies made from common herbs as a means of enhancing our knowledge, respect for and awe of our healing companions. We will likely try to potentize a herb for ourselves!

June 14

10:00 – 11:30    Introduction to Chinese herbs with Sarah Gilbert and Julie Starsage
Ancient Chinese systems are based on far different diagnostic criteria than we are used to, and the forms their medicines take, in terms of preparation and ingestion, are also new to us. Sarah will introduce us to herbs and formulas that have been appreciated for centuries, and give us a better idea of how they are used in modern times.

11:45 – 12:45    Wildcrafting Basics with Lyrae Emerson
An examination of the methods of ethically harvesting wild and indigenous plants in a manner that minimizes impact on the population while maximizing their medicinal potential. We will look at tools, time of year to harvest roots, barks, stems and other plant parts, as well as look at how the practice of wildcrafting in itself can be a healing experience. Comes with take home instruction sheet on wildcrafting and harvesting guidelines.

12:45 – 1:30    Lunch – brown bag or order the $6 snack lunch.

1:30 – 3:30 – Making Plant Medicine with Lyrae Emerson
Learn how to turn your raw or dried plant matter into finished medicines. Lyrae will discuss and show preparation of infusions, pills, teas and tinctures, show and share samples, discuss alternate procedures, and basically give a solid background so that people new to the field can go home and follow recipes with confidence.

3:45 – 5:00     Native Use of Herbs with Cymba
Consisting of in-the-field plant identification, discussing traditional and contemporary uses of these plants.  Food, medicinal and ceremonial uses will be covered as well as ecologically sustainable harvesting techniques.  A hands-on component will include topical salves making (everyone will leave with a traditional medicine).

Shared potluck dinner to follow for all who want to continue exchanging thoughts.

May 9/10 – Permie Weekend - Wild Weekend, SLAS, Roberts Creek Two days of moving into a wild space!

9:30 – 11:00 Wildcrafting Indigenous Herbs with Lyrae Emerson
An examination of the methods of ethically harvesting wild and indigenous plants in a manner that minimizes impact on the population while maximizing their medicinal potential. A focus will be given to native medicinal herbs, but we will also discuss traditional medicinal plants and look at how the practice of wildcrafting in itself can be a healing experience. We will also look at some of the methods of processing the leaves, flowers, berries, bark and roots that we collect. Comes with take home instruction sheet on wildcrafting and harvesting guidelines. $25

11:15 – 12:45   Introduction to Wild Edibles with Annette Clarke
Easy to identify plants that do not need any complicated cooking methods are the topic of this course. An emphasis is placed on respectful collection and proper identification of the food plants. Different plants are growing and ripening with each season. Topics change slightly depending on the time of the year.  We will cover berries, wild weeds and edible trees. $25

12:45 – 1:30 Lunch (paper bag it or order $6 snack lunch)

1:30 – 3:00   Building Emergency Shelters with Annette Clarke
Building shelters is something very essential, not just for a survival situation, but also for the soul. The feeling of warmth and protection is joined by feelings of accomplishment, pride and community; we did this ourselves!

The course teaches how to feel confident and comfortable in the outdoors without tent and sleeping bag. It explains how to choose the right location and how to create a functioning shelter out of natural materials without harming living plants. Includes lots of hands-on work, handouts and a short introduction into cordage and simple tool-making. $25

3:30 onwards -  Into the Wild with Peter Light (off site – 2692 Highway 101)
Covers all the resources one can find close to your doorstep in our west coast woods.  Learn how to recognize the principal trees in our forest; spot useful old, moss-covered logs for multiple uses; process cedar poles and beams for all your building needs; split cedar shakes for roofs and walls – in short, how to go into the woods and harvest all you need for a FREE house, barn, shed, bench, fence, gate, handle, etc., etc., as well as a FREE supply of fuel to heat your home and cook your food.  Learn, too, of more unsuspected wealth that lurks among the trees!  Includes an introduction to the hand tools you will need to harvest these resources. Firecircle and dinner to follow – bring goodies to add to the feast. $30

Sunday May 10 10 – noon – Native Plant Technology with Cymba
The workshop will consist of a walk around the area to identify plants that were (are) commonly used in various technological ways (providing materials for cordage, adhesives, shelters, clothing, tools etc.  Samples of important materials from off-site will also be provided for discussion.  In a hands-on component we will play with simple tool construction (includes binding and gluing). * The exact nature of these workshops will vary according to interaction between participants. We will attempt to cover all materials and the instructor is willing to spend more time if participants feel a need.

12:45 – 2:45  - Wild Containers with Annette Clarke
We may find ourselves in the bush, wanting to carry berries, mushrooms or other precious finds. Annette will show us samples of various containers made from bark, leaves and vines that will last for years.  Container materials will be:
Grass, Leaves, Sedges and Rushes, Cattail and Birch bark. We won’t make all the different container types, but I will bring them all for showing the options and then pick one simple version (Leaf or Grass) and a Cattail container to make ourselves.

3:00 – onwards –  Cooking With Fire – TBA - Siting, building and maintaining a functional and safe cooking or signaling fire – and we will have a meal with bannock, wild greens and tea, and whatever else to brought to us – perhaps some home made wine!

Call Robin at (604) 885-4505 or email at info@ediblelandscapes.ca to register or get more information.

Camping available on site.