Learn Your Land

Many of the plants we've talked about here on the blog can be found growing wild in your backyard, neighborhood, or local fields and forests. While there is plenty of (sometimes questionable!) information available on the internet, there is nothing quite like talking to an actual human about medicinal plants and herbs. Taking a guided nature walk with a naturalist is such a simple way to learn a bit more about the plants around us!

Enter Learn Your Land, an awesome website put together by local naturalist Adam Haritan. Gathering together profiles of naturalists, a calendar of events, and information about local clubs and organizations, this rich resource connects you with local experts looking to share their knowledge. You can search by naturalist, area of interest (i.e., Birding, Mushrooms, Plants, etc.), or geographical location.

I've gone on a couple of nature walks with naturalists I've found on this website, and it's been such a great way to deepen my knowledge of locally-growing plants and ecosystems. Taking the time to slow down and pay attention to the quiet details of life in the forest recharges my spirit and helps me feel more connected with the world around me.

Coming up this month, learn about foraging for edible plants and mushrooms in Cook Forest, stroll through the Wildflower Reserve in Raccoon Creek State Park, take a Bird Walk in Frick Park, or check out some mushrooms at Chatham University's Eden Hall!

The pace of life changes with the seasons. For some of us, it means things speed up as we enter the school year and gear up for the winter holidays. For others, there might be a slower pace as the sunshine and growing season winds down. Whatever season you're moving into, I hope you can use this resource to find ways to get grounded, connected, and restored with the natural world!