Edible and Medicinal Plants of Squak Mountain

During this two-hour educational walk we will be learning about some of the edible and medicinal plants at Squak Mountain State Park. Squak Mountain is a forest wonderland filled with usnea-laden alders, towering douglas firs, red elders, stinging nettle, trailing blackberry, sword fern and Oregon grape. June is when the first salmonberries and indian plums begin to ripen, with promise of even more berries to come.

Plant walks with me (Natalie) are interactive, engaging and hands on. We taste, smell, search, observe and listen. I am known in the community for my enthusiasm.

Learning about wild edible and medicinal plants is great for hikers, families, nature enthusiasts, natural medicine lovers, health nuts, wilderness survivalists and gardeners. I hope you can join! Read on for more info below, including parking passes for Squak Mountain state park.

LOCATION:

We will be meeting at the May Valley Loop Trailhead. Note that there is more than one entrance to Squak Mountain, so loop up the location ahead of time to make sure you've got the right one, and leave yourself plenty of time to find us. Look for the girl with the basket, braided brown hair, and a clipboard- that's me! I'll be waiting at the far side of the parking lot. Please note that becauase it is a state park, a discover pass is required to park there.

Parking: You will need a Discover Pass

You can buy discover passes online at the following link, or at the pay station at the trailhead. Day passes are $10 and annual passes are $30. If you plan on visiting state parks more than three times in a year, I recommend getting an annual pass. Link below:

https://store.discoverpass.wa.gov/

BOOKS:

I will have books available for sale at the walk. They are $24.95 plus local sales tax. I can sign them if you would like. If you already have a book youy'd like me to sign, feel free to bring it along and we can do it after the walk.

LOGISTICS:

Check the weather report ahead of time. Sun and rain protection may be needed. We may walk about a mile in class.

Please note that dogs and small children are not allowed on foraging walks. Children over 13 who are participating in the walk are quite welcome!

N ote that foraging is not allowed at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, so we will not be foraging on the walk.

PLEASE BRING:

- a small bag

- a pocket knife

- a notebook if that is your style

- weather appropriate clothing

- walking shoes (If you wear sandals you are asking to be poked by blackberry and stung by nettle)

- long pants preferred (again with the poking)

TEACHER BIO: This class will be taught by me: Natalie Hammerquist. I was born and raised in the Seattle area, and have been foraging in the Pacific Northwest for 14 years. Herbalism is the primary lens from which I come to plants, but I also forage wild edibles, tend a garden, and make art from foraged things. My training is in field plant taxonomy and western folk herbalism. I have been teaching full time about herbalism and foraging for 8 years at my school, The Adiantum School of Plant Medicine. My students would agree that I am a quirky and authentic educator who values radical self acceptance, reciprocity in nature, and latin names for things. Ethics and stewardship are always at the root of my teaching. My inner nerd is excited to be acquainted with your inner nerd!

How to make the most of a plant walk with Natalie:

- dress for the weather

- bring a notebook to take notes in (unless it's raining). If you are taking lots of plant classes, get a special notebook for your herb/plant education.

- take pictures of the things we talk about with your phone camera to help you remember what we talked about later.

- act on your knowledge immediately. Plan to go on a walk that day or the next day and identify as many plants as you can, and look for some of the details that we talked about on the walk.

- Look up the walk location ahead of time and figure out your timing. Give yourself a little extra time to find us at the location.

- Walks with Natalie are very hands on and participatory. Don't be afraid to look closely, pull things apart, smell, taste and thoroughly take advantage of the opportunity. Questions and comments are welcome during class. That is why I keep class sizes small!

COVID PROTOCOL: Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness: sore throat, fever, coughing. You will receive a refund! Masks are not required in class, but please do wear a mask in class if you feel the need.

LINKS:

More classes from Adiantum School

Adiantum School Website

Online Class Recordings on Podia

Host or Publisher The Adiantum School of Plant Medicine