This is the Fundamental Spore & Lore Inc. experience - a guided excursion focused on the essential skills of safe, honourable and successful wild harvesting.
Hosted seasonally from Ostara through Samhain, each outing is grounded in plant and mushroom identification, foraging safety and ethics, and interpreting the landscape to locate where wild forgeables are most likely to appear. We'll explore not just what grows and where, but why - examining environmental clues like sun exposure, soil type, plant associations, animal activity and more. It's a slow return to seasonal rhythms, with knowledge that empowers confident, respectful engagement with the wilds.
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Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
Terrain varies by location, but is navigated by established trail systems that are actively maintained.
Creature Climate: Easy to Intermediate
Local Mosquito populations eagerly welcome human visitors, and will frequently solicit blood sacrifices from them throughout their stay. Other woodland critters have become accustomed to human visitors and have developed ways to mostly avoid them altogether.
Subject Overview:
The following core topics will be addressed during each excursion:
All Spore & Lore Inc. activities are driven by the Wheel of the Year, and the "flavour" of each one (i.e., the specific species explored from one to the next) is determined by its Cycles. Some general information about each Cycle and the kinds of things they offer us can be found below.
NOTE: While some specimens may be collected for teaching purposes, the goal of the Fundamentals event is not to harvest wild edibles. No one will leave empty-handed, however, and in addition to the new knowledge and skills obtained each (Adult) ticket holder will be provided local mushrooms to take home.
Ostara begins with the Vernal Equinox, a brief period when day and night are equal in length, and after which there is more time in the day than the night. It is a time of renewal and new beginnings as we transition into the light half of the year.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
Beltane begins with "May Day", marking the beginning of a period focused on the fertility of the natural world to honour its forthcoming period of abundance.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
Litha begins with the Summer Solstice, a brief period when the power of the sun is at its peak resulting in a day with more hours of daylight than darkness. It is a time of abundance, when the world around us is lush, vibrant and full of life.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the harvest season and celebrates the abundant yield of nature's work. Daylight hours slowly begin to wane, indicating the coming period of darkness and rest coming soon.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
Mabon begins with the Autumnal Equinox, the last time in the year when daylight and darkness are in balance before transitioning into the dark half of the year. It marks the final harvests of the season and is a time of gratitude, reflection and preparation for the darker half of the year.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and celebrates the culmination of nature's work. Hours of darkness begin to wax and the natural world turns inward on itself to rest so that it may later restart.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
*Informational Only; Spore & Lore currently does not operate during this Cycle.
Yule begins with the Winter Solstice, a brief period when the power of darkness is at its peak resulting in a day with more hours of darkness than daylight. It is a time of slowness and introspection, when the world around us is idle and quiet.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
*Informational Only; Spore & Lore currently does not operate during this Cycle.
Imbolc begins with the early signs of nature's process of renewing itself. Darkness hours slowly begin to wane, indicating the coming period of daylight and productivity coming soon.
This cycle offers us an opportunity to discover and learn about a number of wild edibles, remedies and hazards, such as:
*These hazards will be identified and discussed when opportunities to do so arise. They are common lookalikes and/or alluring enough to tempt consumption (i.e., by children). Some are downright deadly, but most are just dangerous enough to make you sick. We'll explore these specimens as they're discovered so that we can learn about the hazards they present, how to identify them, and what to do if you encounter them. Our Philosophy.
General items you should bring to ensure you are able to get the most out of these events are listed below. Everyone is different in terms of what gear will be essential in ensuring their comfort under the conditions that may be encountered in wild spaces, so we've included some optional but recommended gear to consider by season.
GENERAL GEAR
RECOMMENDED GEAR BY SEASON
Spring:
Summer:
Fall:
Winter: