Summer Foraging Walk

oin forager, farmer, chef, and Jackson County local Julie Fox Jones of Wildkitchen Supply for this gentle walk along the trails at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve. As we ramble, we will meet and learn about the edible plants and mushrooms that we encounter along the way. We'll discuss identification techniques, cooking methods, foraging ethics, and medicinal preparations, leaving time to admire the non-edible plants and mushrooms as well! This event is open to foragers, nature lovers, hikers, and chefs of all knowledge and skill levels.

We’ll meet in the parking lot of Tessentee Bottomland Preserve just before 5:30pm on Friday, June 13th. See the map below for exact location. The walk will take about two hours, and is over surfaces of varying grades, widths, and substrates. Trails at Tessentee are rated as easy or easy-moderate, but are natural surface paths that involve stepping over roots and rocks. We will be back at the trailhead by sunset. We suggest bringing water, a snack, layers, sturdy hiking shoes, and any naturalist tools you may want such as a notebook or a hand lens. Please note that we will not be harvesting anything during this walk, and foraging on Mainspring Conservation Trust properties is by permission only.

Space is limited, so purchase your ticket then grab your notebook and prepare for a fun evening of learning about the edible biodiversity that can be found here in the mountains!

This event is weather dependent. Please leave pets at home. Email Skye at scahoon@mainspringconserves.org with any questions.

MEET YOUR FORAGER

Julie Fox Jones is the owner of Wildkitchen Supply in downtown Sylva. Born and raised in Cullowhee where her family has lived for generations, she spends much of her free time foraging in the forest or reconstructing her family farm. She describes her career path as "food": foraging, growing, cooking, preserving, serving, and eating food and everything that goes along with it, from clean water, to farming, to working on food sovereignty, and improving the area’s food businesses. Learn more about Julie and Wildkitchen Supply here.