Plant Walks and Forage Picnics

Welcome to my plant walk and forage picnic page. Spring walks are here! Scroll all the way down to book, or read on to learn what this is all about.

To be added to my quarterly-ish mailing list (and first dibs at new walks), for private walk or consultation enquiries, please email me: myviljoen (at) gmail (dot) com. 

My second book, Forage, Harvest, Feast - A Wild-Inspired Cuisine, is a substantial foraging and growing resource, with plant info for collection and for cultivation, and over 500 recipes for three dozen plants. It is intended as a guide for exploring the range of possibilities for delicious and very versatile botanical ingredients growing (or begging to be grown) near you. Buy it from the publisher, your local bookshop, or Amazon.

About my Walks

I lead plant identification and nature walks in wild and tame green spaces. As much as these experiences are about sharing my passion for plants, and about identifying edible plants, they are an immersion in the rich natural world that surrounds us, even in the middle of a city. Experiencing the land we live on is critical if we are to love it enough to take care of it. To love it, we must know it. I hope that walking with me inspires you to walk on your own, and often.

Every part of every season offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the plants that surround us in plain sight, especially in places where we do not expect to find them. Yes, we even walk in winter.

The group-size is small, low-impact, and personal. It's not unusual for new friendships to grow over the course of the walk. Meet plants, make friends!

On our field trips we identify and talk about so-called weeds, or plants whose habit is invasive; exotic plants (introduced species); and native plants, some of which could - and should, but still don't - define an authentic regional cuisine. Awareness, sustainability and stewardship are the cornerstones of these immersions in nature. My own approach evolves, and I welcome the diverse perspectives that every person brings to our roving discussions.

My real goal, though, is to help tune your senses to the botanical and natural details at our feet, and above our heads. Nature is right here, even on our own city block. 

Photo: Jenny Hamp.

Most walks end with a wild-inspired tasting picnic. It's exactly what it sounds like: Tastes of in-season, wild ingredients, as well as preserved small-batch forages from my feral pantry. Where possible, non-foraged ingredients are organic or locally-grown. Although I have been known to swoop on something interesting from the local bodega. I take broad dietary preferences (vegan, vegetarian, omnivore) into account where possible within a group. You can also book a diet-specific, private walk.

Ways to Walk and Talk

Scheduled Walks - seasonal group walks are posted here (scroll down).

Gift Walks - buy an open ticket to any scheduled walk; valid for one year.

Plant Identification - I identify plants on your land, public space, or in your garden.

Talks, Classes - for botanic gardens, design firms, conservancies, garden clubs, etc.

Consultation - native and edible garden creation, wild recipes, mixology and menus.

Private Walks - for institutions, corporate groups, schools, families, friends.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds, but you may receive credit. Walks with picnics take a lot of time to plan and prepare. If you cancel with up to three days notice you are welcome to use your ticket (purchased or gift) as credit towards a different walk. Cancellations within 48 hours of a walk do not receive credit.

Gift Walks

A Gift Walk ($90) offers admission to any of my seasonal walks with forage-picnics (classes I teach for outside institutions like the NYBG are not included). Give an experience that includes plant identification, nature immersion, wild-inspired treats, and the company of like-minded humans. Valid for one year. Gift Walks are non-refundable.

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Spring and Early Summer Walks

Forest Bath - 2 tickets left

Saturday, 10 May 2025

Inwood Hill Park

12.30pm - 4pm

$85

Glory be: It's the annual spring adventure at Manahatta's northern tip, where the island's oldest forest will be in full, lush spring foliage above the wide, spring-melt-fed Hudson.

The trees have leafed out completely and we will walk under soaring tulip poplars kept company by an understorey of spicebush - the largest grove in the city grows here. Among the native plants are familiar invasives like daylilies and garlic mustard, field garlic and mugwort. We will visit some nettles and pay attention to logs where wood ears like to gather. 

Our walk will have ups and downs - it's one of the rare, real hikes in New York City. We'll follow our noses for a good picnic spot. Maybe on rock in the electric-green forest, maybe beside the water and the wide fields of new grass. The weather, and the rate of our wander, will tell.

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Lush Woods

17 May 2025

Prospect Park

11.30am - 3pm

$85

The Brooklyn woods are in full, tender leaf, and the canopy overhead makes the light beneath pale green. Where tiny ground elder leaves pushed up through the brown leaf litter late March, a sea of tall leaves has now washed across the whole forest floor. Ground elder is a very invasive European perennial, but it's also good to eat. Will we find it in tender bud? They are a delicacy. 

Native white violets and wild ginger will be up, and if we're lucky, we may see a spring mushroom or two. Our picnic will be singing with spring.

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Juneberry Jaunt

Friday, 6 June 2024

Gowanus

5pm - 7pm

$85

Come and sip serviceberry and linden blossom libations as we walk beneath... juneberries in full fruit and linden trees in blossom. The fruits are delicious and sweet and good to eat fresh but they also translate magically into marzipan, once cooked. Yes, there will be juneberry pie. Linden blossom (tilia, lime, depending on where you live) is heavily scented and makes the most soothing of teas.

This walk meanders through the streets of Gowanus, looking for its surprisingly abundant signs of natural life. Our June-inspired picnic will happen beside the water, just as the weekend begins, in the lightest, brightest of evenings.

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