Wild Foods Foraging Expert Sam Thayer is Featured Speaker at Nature Wonder Wildfoods Weekend Sept. 21-23
OutdoorHub 08.29.12
Sept. 7 registration deadline
The September 7 deadline is approaching to register for the 45th Annual Nature Wonder Wildfoods Weekend, to be held at North Bend State Park Sept. 21-23. National wild foods foraging expert Sam Thayer will be the featured speaker. The event begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday. It includes speakers, presentations, collection and preparation of wild foods. The registration form is available at www.wvdnr.gov/Nature_Brochure.pdf .
During the first Nature Wonder Weekend, participants enjoyed a wild food walk in the park with noted wild foods author Euell Gibbons. Gibbons told about his experiences with little-used free foods from the land such as black walnuts, mountain-tea berries, pawpaws and wild fox grapes. That walk was the beginning of the Gibbons Nature Trail, which has been enhanced this year and will reflect the recent national focus on nature trail enjoyment.
Many guests return year after year for Nature Wonder Weekend, but first-timers are always welcome. “After all, we came here 45 years ago as beginners to hear Euell Gibbons speak about his slant on nature appreciation,” said Edelene Wood, president of the National Wildfoods Association. “Many of us liked his ideas and the edible wild plants he identified, and we want that to continue.”
The weekend offers overnight packages as well as day-only attendance options. To register, please contact Teri Surface at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources at 304-558-2754 or email Teri.L.Surface@wv.gov. Overnight options include lodge rooms, cabins, or camping sites. Please specify your preference during registration.
Although wild foods are featured throughout the weekend, five conventional meals will be provided by the North Bend Lodge Restaurant.
