An Introduction to Lichens

This workshop introduces participants to noticing, identifying, and understanding the amazing lichens that surround us in our urban and suburban ecosystems. Build your knowledge around how to identify lichens, what a lichen is, common lichen species in Lekwungen Territory, what a lichen can tell us about the environment, lichen ecology, and discuss the ethics of collecting fallen lichens for various uses. Will take place both indoors and outdoors with the possibility of microscope work.

Instructor Bio: Natasha (Tasha) Lavdovsky is a neurodivergent artist/lichenologist settler, who grew up in traditional Tsawout First Nations unceded territory. Tasha's expertise with lichens has arisen from many years of self-taught study and from collaborative interdisciplinary lab and field-based art projects with professional lichenologists. Recently, her fieldwork surveying a new population of at-risk Old-growth Specklebelly lichen near the Fairy Creek watershed contributed to the publication of a Canadian Field-Naturalist journal article that critiques BC's lack of protection for biodiversity. In 2009 Tasha obtained a BA in studio art and art history from Princeton University where she also studied geology, oceanography and environmental studies. After becoming disillusioned with urban society, Tasha returned to the West Coast in 2011 to reconnect with the land and develop sustainable art practices. Since then, Tasha has been deepening her understanding of anti-colonial theory, ethics and environmental stewardship, which informs her work in video, performance, photography, installation, textiles and sculpture. Tasha is the recipient of numerous art awards from various institutions, including the Canada Council of the Arts, and the BC Arts council. Currently living in Pacheedaht territory, Tasha is completing her MFA in Studio Art remotely through Concordia University.

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This workshop is happening in person only. Any health and safety protocols will be emailed to you 24 hours in advance. Please dress appropriately for all types of weather, the workshop may be outside or in our unheated strawbale building.

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Only current members in good standing are eligible to use the free ticket option as a part of their member benefits package.

There are a limited number of Pay What You Can tickets available for folks who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), and people who are facing significant financial barriers to their involvement in our programming. The Compost Education Centre is continually in the process of examining the ways in which our program accessibility can be improved for all members of our community. This ticket gesture is by no means a fulsome examination of the systems of oppression that exist for people inside and outside of our community. We welcome your ideas and feedback.

You must pre-register for this event.

Customers can request a refund within 30 days of ticket purchase. After 30 days refunds and workshop exchanges are not permitted due to administrative staffing capacity. Please be in touch if you are no longer able to attend but hold a ticket so we can make your space available to someone else.

You can also register for the event by calling our office at 250 386 9676 or via email by contacting [email protected]

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Accessibility info: The Compost Education Centre site has paths made of stone gravel (20%), and wood chips (80%). Mobility devices with wheels (such as wheelchairs, walkers etc.) are sometimes difficult to use on site, especially on the gravel paths. The strawbale learning classroom is accessed via a wooden ramp and has a wide double door and a ramp leading up to it. Once inside everything is flat.

There is a single-stall gender neutral washroom on site. The washroom is not wheelchair accessible and has a small step up from the gravel pathway, and another small step up from the washroom boardwalk.

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The Compost Education Centre is located on unceeded and occupied Indigenous territories, the land of the Lekwungen people— specifically the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. These nations are two of many, made up of individuals who have lived within the porous boundaries of what is considered Coast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwakwa'wakw Territory (Vancouver Island) since time immemorial. At the CEC we seek to respect, honour and continually grow our own understandings of Indigenous rights and history, and to fulfill our responsibilities as settlers, who live and work directly with the land and its complex, vital ecologies and our diverse, evolving communities.

Compost Education Centre memberships get you free workshops, discounts at garden centres around town and more great perks! Sign up or learn more on our website.

Host or Publisher Compost Education Centre