Description
A plant walk is a guided educational walk through an urban or wild landscape. The best way to learn about plants is through observing and interacting with living examples. At the same time, connecting to your local ecosystem provides an excellent opportunity to meet other plant lovers and build community.
During a plant walk you will learn:
- to identify plants using the principles of botany
- to distinguish between edible and poisonous lookalikes
- to distinguish between weeds and native species
- recipes and preparation techniques for edible plants
- medicinal usage based on traditional knowledge, modern herbal practice and scientific research
- sustainable harvesting considerations and conservation issues
Who can attend:
Adults, kids, and families can all attend these events, and tickets for kids under 12 are free. Events are limited to 20 people per event for the enjoyment of all participants.
Those planning to bring pets, for the comfort of all participants involved, please keep your pets on their leads at all times. Pet owners will be responsible and liable for any incidents involving their pets and other pets or people during these walks.
What to bring:
Please dress appropriately for being outside: adequate clothing for changing weather, water-resistant walking shoes, mosquito repellent and sunscreen when needed.
You might also want to bring your favourite plant ID book, a notebook and pen, and a camera for taking photos of plants.
Cancellations and refunds:
- Plant walks will be cancelled and all participants refunded in the event of severe weather warnings (including temperatures below -12°C) and/or extremely poor air quality due to forest fires.
- Refunds will only be provided within 48 hours of purchasing a ticket. Unused tickets may be passed on to a friend or transferred to a subsequent plant walk in the same season.
2023 Plants Walks
Walks with Latifa
TBA
About Latifa
Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed is a herbalist, botanist, wild forager, and educator based in Mohkinstsis/Calgary, Alberta, Treaty 7 Territory. Latifa is an expert seed collector and cultivator and is the co-owner of ALCLA Native Plants, a native plant nursery in Calgary, Alberta.
She also runs Latifa’s Herbs which offers sliding-scale herbal medicine consultations, workshops, plant walks, and consulting services.
She is a former faculty member of Phytotherapy (evidence-based herbal medicine) at Pacific Rim College of Holistic Medicine and Sustainable Living in Victoria, BC, where she taught botany and horticulture, nutrition of wild plants and herbal therapeutics. She is qualified with a Master’s of Science in Herbal Medicine from London, UK and a Bachelor of Science in Botany from the University of Calgary.
Walks with Amanda
Thursday June 22, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Weaselhead Natural Area
Thursday July 20, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Pearce Estate Park
Thursday August 24, 6:00 – 8:00 pm St. Patrick Island
Thursday September 14, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Edgemont Wetland
About Amanda
Being a bit of a know-it-all in her family(she prefers the term “thirst for knowledge”), Amanda developed her company “Wise Lass” who specializes in eco wellness education and support services in 2021. Growing up in the boreal forest of west-central Alberta, Amanda developed a deep appreciation for the natural world, which she has expanded through her professional work, Girl Guides of Canada activities, and personal travels. This interest followed her to her future career paths.
Amanda Mitchell is a professional agrologist with experience and degrees in Environmental & Conservation Science and Sustainability, as well as being Certified in Holistic Nutrition (TM) and is a Reiki Master. She is also enroute to becoming a registered herbalist here in Alberta.
Amanda spent many years working to support the environment in the energy industry across North America. She now divides her time between teaching at the Canadian School of Holistic Nutrition or on the landscape, and doing environmental/sustainability work. She continually looks for opportunities to educate and empower individuals seeking to prioritize their health and well-being while minimizing their impact on the environment.