Adult Opportunities

Identifying Edible Plants with The Wild Dryad

Explore common edible plants of northern Illinois with Shane Edwards, the forager and botanist known on Instagram as the Wild Dryad.

Content Detail

Spend a morning exploring the Arboretum with Shane A. Edwards, the forager and botanist known on Instagram as the Wild Dryad. Get an introduction to how to identify common edible plants, then put your skills to work identifying plants on the Arboretum’s grounds. Under the guidance of your instructor, you will practice field identification and learn foraging safety. Remember, identification first, foraging second!

This program meets in person at the Arboretum.

Instructor: Shane A. Edwards, forager and botanist, The Wild Dryad

Age: 16 and older

Course number: N314

Instructor

Shane A. Edwards, forager and botanist, The Wild Dryad

Shane Aldan Edwards is a self-taught illustrator, botanist, and educator who has recently collaborated with the Conservation Foundation, the Chicago Mycology Club, and other Chicago environmental organizations as an instructor teaching about edible wild plants. Since 2019 he began exploring his interest in the outdoors, and through his passion for botany, he has garnered a following. He teaches online and in person about plants, taxonomy, and the way communities use them.

What to Know

This program meets outdoors. Check the forecast and dress for the weather.

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes with covered toes and plan to walk more than a mile on uneven terrain. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended.

Bring water and a snack. Your favorite field guide may come in handy.

Sunscreen and insect repellent may be useful.

Program Schedule

Saturday, July 27, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to noon

Parking Lot 29, West Side

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