Standard Excursions
Seasonally hosted throughout the year between April and November, our Standard Excursion is the core Spore & Lore experience.
Ostara is a time of year when many creatures emerge from hibernation, including our Guide. When this happens shortly after the Vernal Equinox, our Standard Excursions begin and trace the Wheel of the Year as it cycles through Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon and Samhain. Each excursion is an opportunity to slow down and return to nature so that we can rediscover our connection to these cycles and mindfully participate within them. In the process we aim to identify wild plants and mushrooms for the group so that everyone can become familiar with natural foods and remedies, and learn how to distinguish them from their dangerous counterparts.
While some specimens may be collected for teaching purposes, the goal of these excursions is not to harvest wild edibles. No one will leave these excursions empty-handed, however, and will in addition to the new knowledge and skills obtained each (Adult) ticket holder will be provided local mushrooms to take home.
What to Expect
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
Terrain varies by location, but is navigated by established trail systems that are actively maintained. Occasional solicitation for Blood Sacrifices from the Mosquito Horde to be expected.
Our Standard Excursions are driven by the Wheel of the Year, and the "flavour" of each one is determined by its Cycles. Some general information about each Cycle and the kinds of things they offer us can be found below.
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:
- Amber Jelly Roll Mushroom
- Beech Rooter Mushrooms
- Black Morel Mushrooms
- Brown Morel Mushrooms
- False Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Half-Free Morel Mushrooms
- Pheasant Back Mushrooms
- Platterfull Mushrooms
- Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushroom
- Wood Ear Mushroom
- Yellow Morel Mushrooms
- Burdock Root, Leaves
- Cattail Hearts
- Chickweed
- Day Lilies
- Fiddleheads
- Garlic Mustard Leaves
- Japanese Knotweed
- Marsh Marigolds
- Plantain
- Sochan
- Trout Lilies
- Ginger
- Leeks (Ramps)
- Dandelion Leaves, Roots
- Butterfly Weed*
- Milkweed Leaves, Shoots
- Marsh Mallow Roots
- Dogbane*
- Alfalfa
- Chicory Root
- Nettle Shoots, Leaves
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Pine Needles
- Spruce Tips, Pitch
- Black Locust Roots, Bark, Leaves*
- Bittersweet Nightshade Berries*
- Birch Water
- Sassafras Roots*
- Wintergreen Leaves
*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:
- Beech Rooter Mushrooms
- Black Morel Mushrooms
- Bleeding Mycena Mushrooms
- Brown Morel Mushrooms
- Clustered Bonnet Mushrooms
- Common Bonnet Mushrooms
- Deadly Gallerina Mushrooms*
- False Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Fly Agaric Mushrooms*
- Half-Free Morel Mushrooms
- Orange Mycena
- Pheasant Back Mushrooms
- Platterfull Mushrooms
- Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushrooms
- Wolf's Milk Mushrooms
- Wood Ear Mushrooms
- Yellow Morel Mushrooms
- Cattail Hearts
- Chickweed
- Day Lilies
- Fiddleheads
- Garlic Mustard Leaves
- Japanese Knotweed
- Marsh Marigolds
- Plantain
- Sochan
- Trout Lilies
- Ginger
- Leeks (Ramps)
- Fool's Parsley*
- Hemlock*
- Water Hemlock*
- Baneberries*
- Buttercup*
- Goat's Rue*
- Rattlebox*
- Colt's Foot Leaves
- Dandelion Leaves, Buds
- Butterfly Weed*
- Milkweed Leaves, Shoots, Buds
- Marsh Mallow Root
- Dogbane*
- Burdock Leaves, Roots
- Alfalfa Leaves, Flowers
- Nettle Shoots, Leaves
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Pine Needles
- Spruce Tips, Pitch
- Elderberry Flowers
- Grape Leaves
- Black Locust Roots, Bark, Leaves*
- Staghorn Sumac Berries
- Bittersweet Nightshade Berries*
- Red Mullberries
- White Bullberries
- Gooseberries
- Currants
- Blueberries
- Buckthorn Berries*
- Juneberries
- Wintergreen Leaves
*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:
- Angel Wing Mushrooms
- Ash Bolete Mushrooms
- Bare-Toothed Russula Mushrooms
- Beech Rooter Mushrooms
- Black Russula Mushrooms
- Black Trumpet Mushrooms
- Black Velvet Bolete Mushrooms
- Bleeding Mycena Mushrooms
- Charcoal Russula Mushrooms
- Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms
- Cinnabar Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Clustered Bonnet Mushrooms
- Common Bonnet Mushrooms
- Crown-Tipped Coral Mushrooms
- Deadly Galerina Mushrooms*
- Destroying Angel Mushrooms*
- False Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Fawn Mushrooms
- Fly Agaric Mushrooms*
- Gem-Studded Puffball Mushrooms
- Giant Puffball Mushrooms
- Golden Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Golden Oyster Mushrooms
- Hedgehog Mushrooms
- Honey Mushrooms
- Lilac Bonnet Mushrooms
- Lobster Mushrooms
- Old Man of the Woods Mushrooms
- Olive Russula Mushrooms
- Orange Mycena Mushrooms
- Pheasant Back Mushrooms
- Platterfull Mushrooms
- Porcini Mushrooms
- Reishi Mushrooms
- Rosy Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Scalycap Pholiota Mushrooms
- Short-Stemmed Russula Mushrooms
- Shrimp Russula Mushrooms
- Sweetbread Mushrooms
- Tangerine Chanterelle Mushrooms
- The Sickener Russula Mushrooms*
- Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushrooms
- Wolf's Milk Mushrooms
- Wood Ear Mushrooms
- Burdock Root
- Cattail Hearts
- Clearweed
- Day Lilies
- Pineapple Weed Flowers
- Plantain
- Black Berries
- Leeks (Ramps)
- Mint
- Oregano
- Spinach
- Watercress
- Wood Sorrel
- Yarrow Leaves
- Fool's Parsley*
- Hemlock*
- Water Hemlock*
- Baneberries*
- Garlic Mustard Buds, Pods
- Buttercup*
- Jewelweed Leaves, Stems
- Goat's Rue*
- Rattlebox*
- Colt's Foot Leaves
- Dandelion Buds
- Butterfly Weed*
- Milkweed Buds, Flowers
- Dogbane*
- Alfalfa Flowers
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Spruce Pitch
- Elderberry Flowers
- Northern Fly-Honeysuckle Berries
- Buffaloberries
- Virginia Creeper*
- Grape Leaves
- Black Locust Root, Bark, Leaves*
- Staghorn Sumac Berries
- Red Mullberries
- White Mullberries
- Gooseberries
- Currants
- Purple-Flowering Raspberries
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Buckhorn Berries*
- Juneberries
- Wintergreen Leaves
*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:
- Angel Wing Mushrooms
- Artist's Conk Mushrooms
- Ash Bolete Mushrooms
- Bare-Toothed Russula Mushrooms
- Beech Rooter Mushrooms
- Birch Polypore Mushrooms
- Black Russula Mushrooms
- Black Trumpet Mushrooms
- Black Velvet Bolete Mushrooms
- Blackening Waxcap Mushrooms
- Bleeding Mycena Mushrooms
- Charcoal Russula Mushrooms
- Chicken Fat Mushrooms
- Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms
- Cinnabar Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Clustered Bonnet Mushrooms
- Common Bonnet Mushrooms
- Crown-Tipped Coral Mushrooms
- Deadly Galerina Mushrooms*
- Destroying Angel Mushrooms*
- False Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Fawn Mushrooms
- Fly Agaric Mushrooms*
- Gem-Studded Puffball Mushrooms
- Giant Puffball Mushrooms
- Golden Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Golden Oyster Mushrooms
- Hedgehog Mushrooms
- Honey Mushrooms
- Lilac Bonnet Mushrooms
- Lobster Mushrooms
- Meadow Waxcap Mushrooms
- Mock Oyster Mushrooms
- Old Man of the Woods Mushrooms
- Olive Russula Mushrooms
- Orange Mycena Mushrooms
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Parrot Waxcap Mushrooms
- Pheasant Back Mushrooms
- Platterfull Mushrooms
- Porcini Mushrooms
- Reishi Mushrooms
- Rosy Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Satan's Bolete Mushrooms*
- Scalycap Pholiota Mushrooms
- Short-Stemmed Russula Mushrooms
- Shrimp Russula Mushrooms
- Sweetbread Mushrooms
- Tangerine Chanterelle Mushrooms
- The Sickener Russula Mushrooms*
- Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Vermillion Waxcap Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushrooms
- Wolf's Milk Mushrooms
- Wood Ear Mushroms
- Yellow Waxcap Mushrooms
- Burdock Root
- Cattail Hearts
- Clearweed
- Day Lilies
- Pineapple Weed Flowers
- Black Berries
- Leeks (Ramps)
- Mint
- Oregano
- Spinach
- Watercress
- Wood Sorrel
- Yarrow Leaves
- May-Apples
- Fool's Parsley*
- Hemlock*
- Wild Carrot (AKA "Queen Anne's Lace")
- Water Hemlock*
- Baneberries*
- Canada Moonseed Berries*
- Common Nightshade Berries*
- Garlic Mustard Pods, Seeds
- Buttercup*
- Jewelweed Leaves, Stem
- Goat's Rue*
- Rattlebox*
- Butterfly Weed*
- Milkweed Flowers, Pods
- Dogbane*
- Yew Berries*
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Spruce Pitch
- Elderberry Berries
- Horse Chestnuts*
- Northern Fly-Honeysuckle Berries
- Buffaloberries
- Virginia Creeper*
- Grapes
- Raspberries
- Dewberries
- Blackberries
- Black Locust Root, Bark, Leaves
- Poison Sumac Berries*
- Staghorn Sumac Berries
- Pawpaws
- Bittersweet Nightshade Berries
- Hazelnuts
- White Oak Acorns
- Gooseberries
- Currants
- Purple-Flowering Raspberries
- Crabapples
- Plums
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Buckthorn Berries*
- Black Chokeberries
- Red Chokeberries
- Juneberries
- Snowberries
- Wintergreen Leaves, Berries
*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:
- Angel Wing Mushrooms
- Artist's Conk Mushrooms
- Bare-Toothed Russula Mushrooms
- Bear's Head Tooth Mushrooms
- Birch Polypore Mushrooms
- Black Russula Mushrooms
- Blackening Waxcap Mushrooms
- Bleeding Mycena Mushrooms
- Blewit Mushrooms
- Charcoal Russula Mushrooms
- Chicken Fat Mushrooms
- Clustered Bonnet Mushrooms
- Comb-Tooth Coral Mushrooms
- Common Bonnet Mushrooms
- Deadly Galerina Mushrooms*
- Destroying Angel Mushrooms*
- Elm Oyster Mushrooms
- Fall Oyster Mushrooms
- False Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Fawn Mushrooms
- Fly Agaric Mushrooms*
- Gem-Studded Puffball Mushrooms
- Giant Puffball Mushrooms
- Golden Pholiota Mushrooms
- Grey Trich Mushrooms
- Hedgehog Mushrooms
- Honey Mushrooms
- Lepista Irina Mushrooms
- Lilac Bonnet Mushrooms
- Lobster Mushrooms
- Maitake Mushrooms
- Meadow Waxcap Mushrooms
- Mock Oyster Mushrooms
- Olive Russula Mushrooms
- Orange Mycena Mushrooms
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Parrot Waxcap Mushrooms
- Pear-Shaped Puffball Mushrooms
- Saffron Milk Cap Mushrooms
- Satan's Bolete Mushrooms*
- Scalycap Pholiota
- Shaggy Mane Mushrooms
- Short-Stemmed Russula Mushrooms
- Shrimp Russula Mushrooms
- The Sickener Russula Mushrooms*
- Velvet Shank Mushrooms
- Vermillion Waxcap Mushrooms
- Winter Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushrooms
- Wolf's Milk Mushroom
- Wood Ear Mushrooms
- Yellow Waxcap Mushrooms
- Ginger Root
- Watercress
- Wood Sorrel
- Wild Carrot (AKA "Queen Anne's Lace")
- Water Hemlock*
- Baneberries*
- Canada Moonseed Berries*
- Common Nightshade Berries*
- Garlic Mustard Seeds
- Parsnip
- Goat's Rue*
- Rattlebox*
- Dandelion Roots
- Butterfly Weed*
- Milkweed Pods
- Marsh Mallow Roots
- Dogbane*
- Chicory Root
- Yew Berries*
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Spruce Pitch
- Elderberry Berries
- Horse Chestnuts*
- Buffaloberries
- Virginia Creeper*
- Grapes
- Wisteria Seeds*
- Raspberries
- Dewberries
- Blackberries
- Black Locust Roots, Bark, Leaves, Seeds
- Poison Sumac Berries*
- Staghorn Sumac Berries
- Butternut Walnut
- Black Walnut
- Shagbark Hickory Nuts
- Mockernut Hickory Nuts
- Barberries
- Pawpaws
- Bittersweet Nightshade Berries*
- Hazelnuts
- Beech Nuts
- Chestnuts
- White Oak Acorns
- Gooseberries
- Currants
- Purple-Flowering Raspberries
- Crabapples
- Hawthorn Fruit
- Plums
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Buckthorn Berries*
- Black Chokeberries
- Red Chokeberries
- Juneberries
- Snowberries
- Wintergreen Leaves, Berries
- Phragmites Seeds
*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:
- Amber Jelly Roll Mushrooms
- Angel Wing Mushrooms
- Artist's Conk Mushrooms
- Bare-Toothed Russula Mushrooms
- Bear's Head Tooth Mushrooms
- Birch polypore Mushrooms
- Black Russula Mushrooms
- Blackening Waxcap Mushrooms
- Blewit Mushrooms
- Chaga Mushrooms
- Charcoal Russula Mushrooms
- Comb-Tooth Coral Mushrooms
- Deadly Galerina Mushrooms*
- Elm Oyster Mushrooms
- Fall Oyster Mushrooms
- False Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Fawn Mushrooms
- Fly Agaric Mushrooms*
- Gem-Studded Puffball Mushrooms
- Giant Puffball Mushrooms
- Golden Pholiota Mushrooms
- Grey Trich Mushrooms
- Hedgehog Mushrooms
- Honey Mushrooms
- Lepista Irina Mushrooms
- Lobster Mushrooms
- Maitake Mushrooms
- Olive Russula Mushrooms
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Pear-Shaped Puffball Mushrooms
- Saffron Milk Cap Mushrooms
- Shaggy Mane Mushrooms
- Short-Stemmed Russula Mushrooms
- Shrimp Russula Mushrooms
- The Sickener Russula Mushrooms*
- Velvet Shank Mushrooms
- Winter Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushrooms
- Wood Ear Mushrooms
- Ginger Root
- Watercress
- Wood Sorrel
- Baneberries*
- Canada Moonseed Berries*
- Common Nightshade Berries*
- Parsnip
- Dandelion Roots
- Marsh Mallow Roots
- Yew Berries*
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Spruce Pitch
- Virginia Creeper*
- Grapes
- Wisteria Seeds*
- Black Locust Roots, Bark, Seeds
- Mountain Ash Berries
- Butternut Walnut
- Black Walnut
- Shagbark Hickory Nuts
- Mockernut Hickory Nuts
- Barberries
- Bittersweet Nightshade Berries*
- Beech Nuts
- Chestnuts
- Sassafras Root*
- Crabapples
- Red Chokeberries
- Wintergreen Leaves, Berries
- Phragmites Seeds
*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:
- Amber Jelly Roll Mushrooms
- Blewit Mushrooms
- Chaga Mushrooms
- Elm Oyster Mushrooms
- Fall Oyster Mushrooms
- False Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Giant Puffball Mushrooms
- Grey Trichs
- Lepista Irina Mushrooms
- Maitake Mushrooms
- Mock Oyster Mushrooms
- Pear-Shaped Puffball Mushrooms
- Saffron Milk Cap Mushrooms
- Velvet Shank Mushrooms
- Winter Chanterelle Mushrooms
- Winter Oyster Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushrooms
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Spruce Pitch
- Black Locust Root, Bark, Seeds*
- Bittersweet Nightshade Berries*
- Sycamore Water
- Wintergreen Leaves, Berries
*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:
- Amber Jelly Roll Mushrooms
- Blewit Mushrooms
- Chaga Mushrooms
- Elm Oyster Mushrooms
- Fall Oyster Mushrooms
- False Oyster Mushrooms
- Giant Puffball Mushrooms
- Grey Trich Mushrooms
- Lepista Irina Mushrooms
- Maitake Mushrooms
- Pear Shaped Puffball Mushrooms
- Saffron Milk Cap Mushrooms
- Velvet Shank Mushrooms
- Winter Oyster Mushrooms
- Witch's Butter Mushrooms
- Balsam Fir Pitch
- Spruce Pitch
- Black Locust Root, Bark*
- Bittersweet Nightshade Berries
- Sassafras Root*
- Sycamore Water
- Wintergreen Leaves
*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.
What You'll Need
General items you should bring to ensure you are able to get the most out of these excursions 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
- Long Pants (shorts are not recommended)
- Boots (you may get by in running shoes; sandals, flip-flops, etc. are discouraged)
- Water Bladder/Bottle
- Sun Protection
- Mosquito/Tick Protection
- Gaiters
RECOMMENDED GEAR BY SEASON
Spring:
- Tall Rubber Boots
- Towel (leave in vehicle; to dry off if needed and/or protect seats from mud)
Summer:
- Bug-proof, long-sleeved shirt
- Bug-proof face shield/hood
- Bite/Prick-Proof Gloves
- Tall Rubber Boots (if significant rainfall in days prior to excursion)
- Cooler with Ice, Extra Water (keep in your vehicle, leave space for foraged items)
- Towel (leave in vehicle; to dry off if needed and/or protect seats from mud)
Fall:
- Bug-proof, long-sleeved shirt
- Bug-proof face shield/hood
- Bite/Prick-Proof Gloves
- Tall Rubber Boots (if significant rainfall in days prior to excursion)
- Cooler with Ice, Extra Water (keep in your vehicle, leave space for foraged items)
- Towel (leave in vehicle; to dry off if needed and/or protect seats from mud)
Winter:
- Warm Layers
- Warm Gloves
- Crampons
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