Wild Plant & Foraging Walks

Have you ever wanted a nature expert to point out wild plants you are curious about?
How about ones you can safely eat?
Do you want to know more about preparing wild plants & why they are good for you?
Do you want to learn how to identify poison ivy & other hazardous plants in all seasons?
Does nature excite you? Do you find yourself drawn it, but don't know why?

If you answered yes to several of the questions above, then this opportunity may be for you! Learning the answers to those questions is just a fraction of what you will gain from registering for Wild Plant & Foraging Nature Walks.

You are invited to participate in guided plant walks from Spring - Fall. Things fresh greens and FREE phytonutrients to add to your spring salad. Imagine yummy nuts and berries to sweeten your pies in summer. How fun will it be to become a mushroom hunter and not only learn to ID and find edible mushrooms, but cook with them. Give yourself the most bang for your buck but letting Vince know you'd like to register for a series. Sign up for several walks per month and learn big!

Guiding Options
Drop-in Walks: $50
3-Month Series: $375

Email Vince which type of walk you're interested in and he'll add you to his exclusive mailing list. You'll be the first to know when walks happen! The Spring schedule will be released soon.

Meet Vince Aiello, aka The Woods Treker

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Vince Aiello (@woods_treker) • Instagram photos and videos

Hi everyone! I am Vince Aiello, and am a wild food, herbalist instructor. I have a long and varied background in this area. It began in my youth when we moved out to the country. I had a grandpa that grew up in rural Wisconsin during the Great Depression. When I was young, he'd say things like... "do you see this plant? We used to use it for... We eat those weeds we picked from the garden." Dinner conversations were about the wild foods him and Grandma would harvest. He'd ask, "do you know what we used to eat as a kid?" I'd see Grandma roll her eyes with the 'not this conversation again' look. Everything was seasonal. First we'd tap the maple trees, then we collected cowslips, next were dandelions, and so on and so forth.

About a dozen years later, I went on a wild food walk guided by a young Sam Thayer. Sam is an internationally recognized wild edible plant and foraging expert who has written several award winning books. As we walked in the woods together, he showed me all of the foods I could eat. I was excited, curious and immediately hooked. From that day forward, I started learning to identify every plant I saw. Since that time I have attended herbalist classes, many wild food and herbal workshops, and two United Plant Savers workshops. I have guided walks for many individuals and groups over the years, and am excited to finally offer a series that will take a group on a plant identification and foraging journey through the seasons. I am passionate about nature, all it offers, and teaching ancestral skills to enhance human health. I look forward to meeting you safely in-person, to guide and grow alongside you with the plants.

What You'll Learn

Botanical terms
Identification techniques in various ecosystems
Herbal & wild food uses
What is safe & not safe to forage - learn hazards!
What our ancestors used plants for

Gratitude practices to honor land and cultural traditions
Ethical foraging
Tricks & tips to harvesting plants
How to create herbal teas in moment on our guided walks
The scientific benefits of spending time in nature

If you register for a Retreat or Hike, Heal Hum - you might get to meet Vince woodside. But I highly recommend attending regular walks for several seasons to really feel comfortable identifying a good amount of plants you normally see in WI parks.
-Moira, Owner of Hike and Heal Wellness