Spring Foraging and Nature
Connection Workshop
A day-long outdoor workshop led by Alexis Burnett of Earth Tracks Outdoor School.
Hosted at Sarana Springs near Chatsworth, ON
Saturday May 11th, 2024
from 10 am - 5 pm
This is our 3rd annual foraging workshop! Alexis Burnett of Earth Tracks Outdoor School will guide us on a morning hike in the forest as we learn about the abundant beneficial plants (both native and non-native) that grow among us. We will learn techniques for plant identification, ethical harvesting frameworks and more.
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity with Alexis' instruction to forage and make your own take-home plant-based creation. The plants we will be using are dependent on what is 'in season'.
What You'll Learn:
🌱 Knowledge of local wild edible plants and ethical harvesting practices
🌱 A sense of joy, kinship and connection with the land and participants
🌱 Ease and renewal from spending time in nature and community
🌱 Take-away creations to support your well-being
This event is by registration only and includes a catered lunch featuring wild edible plants and local flavors.
Important Details:
Arrival between 9:30 - 9:45 am
The program runs from 10 am - 5 pm on May 11th
Locally catered lunch is provided
Sliding Scale Fee: $120 - $80, please contribute what you can
Registration is required here
This is an intergenerational event, open to all ages
Hosted at Sarana Springs near Chatsworth, ON
This is an outdoor event that will run rain or shine
Camping overnight is possible on May 10th or May 11th. See more details below
Meet Your Guide for the Day:
Alexis Burnett
Alexis is a naturalist, tracker, herbalist, and nature connection mentor who lives on the traditional land of the Three Fires Confederacy, home of the Anishinabek Nation also called Grey County, Ontario Canada. He lives on Rebel Roots Herb Farm (www.rebelrootsherbfarm.com) where they grow, sell and ethically wildcraft more than 50 medicinal plants using organic and regenerative farming practices to produce high quality herbs and herbal medicines. Their farm is also home to Earth Tracks Outdoor School (www.earthtracks.ca) which specializes in connecting people to nature and forming a deep relationship with the earth. Earth Tracks courses and apprenticeship programs include learning how to forage for edible and medicinal plants, herbalism, naturalist training, wildlife tracking, bird language, bush craft skills and nature connection programming for children and adults.
About Sarana Springs
Sarana Springs is 171 acres of wildlife refuge located on the traditional lands of the Anishinabek Nation. This land is home to Sarana Institute's nature-based retreats like our Yana Retreat for young adults (August 8th 2024) and our Autumn Equinox Meditation Retreat. We are approximately 2.5 hours North of Toronto, near Owen Sound, Ontario.
Sarana Springs if home to many habitats and ecologies, including meadows, wetlands, cedar, pine and mixed wood forests and water features, such ponds, freshwater springs, and the source of the Bighead River that flows to Meaford, ON and into Georgian Bay.
Getting to Sarana Springs
We are approx 2.5 North of Toronto, in Holland Chatsworth, Ontario. If you are arriving from the GTA we encourage carpooling. If you are open to sharing a ride with someone else, there is an option in our registration form to select if you need a ride or can provide one. We will do our best to help coordinate ridesharing. If you have any questions about this, just reach out.
Camping at Sarana Springs
Whether you are traveling from out of town or you're local to us, we welcome you to camp here Friday May 10th, Saturday May 11th, (or both!) Camping is optional at an additional fee of $25 per night. This fee can be paid by cash or cheque separately to Angie Di Iorio Blake. Outhouse facilities are near 'The Nest' which is a pine forest that makes for excellent sleeping. There is wifi and electricity access on the Land, but not at the camping area. There is access to our community kitchen. If you choose to camp you will be responsible for your own meals and clean up except for our lunch together the day of our workshop.
Make it a Weekend Experience
There are many local Air B&B options as well if you'd like to find a cozy place to stay as a home base for the weekend. Grey-Bruce is home to many breathtaking hiking trails, waterfalls, artisan shops, and vistas, and we welcome you to come explore and include our day-long event as part of your weekend!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yana?
Yana is Sarana Institute's young adult-focused program serving those aged ~18-35. For us, it stands for 'Young Adult Nature Awareness', and yāna is also a Buddhist term meaning 'vehicle'. Our intention is to provide a “vehicle” to support you in realizing and manifesting your potential.
How is this Workshop Sliding Scale?
All of our Yana events are funded through donations. Because of this, we're able to offer reduced rates and sliding scale fees. Please contribute a suggested amount of $80 - $120 according to your means. To make additional donations that support our work (and provide bursary funds!) click here.
If you really want to attend, but our sliding scale fee feels inaccessible, please reach out to us directly by emailing maxine@saranainstitute.org . No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. If you want to come, we want you to be here!
Is This Just for Young Adults?
Our May 11th event is open to all ages. Scholarships and some spaces are being specifically reserved for young adults (18-35)
What Do I Bring and How to Prepare?
Bring walking shoes or boots that can get muddy. We will be outside rain or shine. Layer up because May temperatures can fluctuate. We will send you an official 'what to bring' list closer to the date. Just make sure you register to receive this.
What Is Sarana Institute?
Yana events are hosted by Sarana Institute which is a non-profit mindfulness-based registered Canadian charity focusing on offering mindfulness training that awakens compassion in caring for ourselves, others and the earth. Yana events are part of our Yana program, and we also host a yearly mindfulness retreat for young adults called Yana Retreat.
I’m Coming From Out of Town, Are There Places to Stay?
Whether you are traveling from out of town or you're local to us, we welcome you to camp here Friday May 10th or Saturday May 11th (or both!) Camping is optional at an additional fee of $25 per night. This fee can be paid by cash or cheque separately to Angie Di Iorio Blake. Compostable toilets are near 'The Nest'. The Nest is a pine forest that makes for excellent sleeping and sheltered camping. There is wifi and electricity access on the Land, but not at the camping area. There is access to our community kitchen. If you choose to camp you will be responsible for your own meals (aside from our lunch the day of) and clean up.
There are also lots of local Air B+B options to explore if you'd prefer a more solid home base for the weekend. We encourage you to take as much time as you can to explore this beautiful area!
Carpooling from the GTA:
Sarana Springs is 2.5 Hours North of Toronto. We do our best to coordinate ridesharing when it is safe to do so. If you are open to sharing a ride with someone else, there is an option in our registration form to select if you need a ride or can provide one. If you have any questions about this, just reach out.