Intro to Local Edible and Medicinal Plants: Magnuson Park

From non-native weeds to native plants, there are lots of wild foods and medicines to be found in the city of Seattle. July and August are the months of berries, seeds and fruits, so that will be a focus of this class.

We will meet at Magnuson Park in Seattle, WA and explore a really excellent restoration area with lots of cool native and non-native plants. We'll encounter ripe black hawthorn berries, apple, crabapple, oneseed hawthorn, fennel, dog rose, yellow dock cattail, oregon grape, tulle, black cottonwood, gooseberries, poison hemlock, and douglas fir. We'll learn how to identify these plants, what these plants are used for, and how they can be harvested in a good way.

This class is great for anyone who has been wanting to learn more about out local plants, those studying herbal medicine, and even those who just want to connect more with nature. All are welcome! Questions, tasting and smelling are encouraged! Bring your curiosity and excitement.

This walk will be led by Natalie Hammerquist (that's me!), who is a local herbalist and forager who teaches at the Adiantum School of Plant Medicine. Note that because Natalie is an herbalist, there will be a heavy slant toward talking about medicinal herbs in this class.

LOGISTICS: We will be meeting in the noreth eastern corner of the frog pond park and ride at Maguson Park. Here is a pin. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dxH789rHgLYri6ef6 )

Look for the girl with the basket and braided brown hair. That's me (Natalie)! FYI: Those who arrive late may miss the walk!

Check the weather report ahead of time. Sun and rain protection may be needed. The terrain of this walk is quite flat, but we may walk up to a mile during the two hour walk.

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, and will need their own ticket.

Note that foraging is not allowed in most city parks, so we will not be harvesting any more than samples from the plants we encounter.

REFUND POLICY:

Refunds are allowed up to 48 hours before the start of the event. You can request refunds through Eventbrite, which I then approve from my end. Refunds are minus Eventbrite's fee.

PLEASE BRING:

- a pocket knife

- a notebook if that is your style

- weather appropriate clothing

- close-toed shoes (protects from brambles, needles and sticks)

- long pants preferred (protects from brambles and ticks)

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.

ABOUT THE TEACHER: Natalie Hammerquist has been teaching classes in herbalism and local plants since 2016. She is a long time student of herbal medicine, wellness, weaving, naturalism and foraging. Her book, Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest, was just released, and she will have copies for sale at the walk. Her business, The Adiantum School of Plant Medicine, is based in Roslyn and Seattle. She is an experienced, enthusiastic teacher with a love for hands on learning and community.

LINKS:

More classes from Adiantum School

Adiantum School Website

Online Class Recordings on Podia

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

- dress for the weather: take a look at the weather report ahead of time and be prepared for the conditions. (sun protection, rain gear, jackets)

- 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!

Host or Publisher The Adiantum School of Plant Medicine