Join us for the Golden Hour Summer Series at Oliver’s Woods. In July, we’ll be discussing Foraging and Conservation with Greg Monzel.

Is foraging a foodie fad or plant stewardship? Wild foods and herbal medicines have experienced a cultural renewal in the last few years. Join us to learn more about the ecological impact, conservation concerns, and best practices in foraging.

Event Highlights:

• We will be outside in the Oliver’s Woods discussion circle, weather permitting.
• Learn how foragers impact the landscape and ecology the interact with.
• Discover the conservation concerns and opportunities connected to foraging.
• Highlight real-world examples from the field, best practices, and prohibitions in the context of evolutionary pressures.
• NOTE: No plant collection is allowed on Central Indiana Land Trust properties without express written permission from CILTI staff.

Details:

• Ages: All are welcome.
• RSVP: Required for attendees over age 2. Limited to 25 people.
• Tickets: Maximum 4 per RSVP. Reserve your spot here.
• Once our RSVP limit is reached, the form will close. If you are interested in being added to our wait list, please reach out to sfox@conservingindiana.org.

What to Expect:

• The presentation will take place in our outdoor discussion circle.
• Park in the lot adjacent to I-465 and follow the trail to the discussion circle.
• Trails are unpaved but fairly level.
• Accessible parking is available by the Daugherty House, with access to a crushed gravel trail.
• There are no public restrooms on site.

What to Bring:

• Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes suitable for mud.
• Optional: Bring sun and insect protection, and a water bottle.

About Greg:

Greg Monzel is a botany research assistant studying species evolution, polyploidy, and hybrid networks in North American bluets (Houstonia spp) for the Plant Phylogenetics Lab at Ball State University.

He has a bachelor’s degree in field botany and over 20 years of experience in herbal medicine and foraging education in the Great Lakes region.

Greg is also the past president of the Central Chapter of the Indiana Native Plant Society and serves on their plant sale committee.

Location: Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, Indiana.