Plant Walks and Forage Picnics

Welcome to my plant walk and forage picnic page. Winter walks are loading: scroll down to see what's arriving. Or read on to learn more about this is all about, or  to purchase a Gift Walk.

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

The Book

My second book, Forage, Harvest, Feast - A Wild-Inspired Cuisine, is a substantial resource, with plant info for foraging and for cultivating, and over 500 recipes. 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. Order 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, they are an immersion in the rich natural world that surrounds us, even in the middle of a city.

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 for walks 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 perspective that you bring to our roving discussions.

In terms of edible plants, we talk what parts of plants are safe to eat, and why, as well as culinary ideas and techniques for unfamiliar ingredients (warning, there's a lot fermentation-talk). The conversation always touches on the evolving do's and don't's of foraging; pollution issues; the relationship between invasive plants and natives, and why it does actually matter, if we care about the planet and biodiversity; and the real problems of commercial over-harvest of native wild plants (like ramps), all tying in to my approach of conservation foraging.

My real goal, though, is to help tune your senses to the botanical and natural details at our feet, and above our heads, and to inspire you to notice nature, even if it's on your city block. 

Forage Picnics

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. 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 walks are booked via this page (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.

Gift Walk

A Gift Walk ($85) 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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2025 Walks

New Year's Ramble
Wednesday, 1 January 2025
Prospect Park
12pm - 2.30pm
$85

Walk into the New Year in the company of bare branches, evergreen needles, fallen leaves, quiet logs, incognito fungi, occasional bird song, fresh air, and like-minded humans.

Winter is the resting season that makes spring possible.

Our walk is as much about the signs of edible plants and mushrooms as it is about paying attention to the constant, refreshing presence of nature around us, even in the city. 

After our cold ramble we will picnic on foraged flavors of the season as well as preserved treats like yuzu, while sipping steaming-hot toddies.

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Jamaica Bay in Winter

18 January 2024

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

12pm - 2.30pm

$85

It is winter on the watery edges and we may find the shoreline of Jamaica Bay very frosty, but for the snow geese that often overwinter here, it's balmy. 

Channel your inner snow goose, wrap up, and join me for a walk along the edges of the wildlife refuge. Nibble juniper, taste dry sumac drupes, and meet new bird friends. We will see some good and bad berries (and discuss), as well as other botanical signs of edible seasons past and future. Depending on the weather, there may be invasive field garlic and  bittercress, too. Recognizing plants when they are dormant is part of the botanical game of identification hide and seek.

Post-walk we will warm up in the picnic area with a steaming cup of soup and hot toddy. 

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Lunar New Year Ramble

Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Historic Green-Wood

11am - 2pm

$85

Come and celebrate the beginning of Lunar New Year with a refreshing adventure. In deep winter in New York we will meet some of the hardy trees and shrubs that have been introduced from parts of East Asia that mirror the East Coast's muggy summers and cold winters. 

Too often an ecological conversation begins with, "This plant is invasive and it's from East Asia." During our walk we'll talk about how plants get where they are now, what can be learned from their travels, and when separating plants from people (in terms of vocabulary) becomes important. As a white immigrant I am not here to educate anyone on origins or culture: I'd rather listen and learn. But as a plant person, I can open a door to discussion, and as a cook, I can offer tastes of plants that reflect our conversation.

Our hot toddy will be flavored with magnolia buds and hardy orange, and we'll snack on tidbits laced with local mugwort, Szechuan pepper, and honeysuckle - all East Asian flavors that I rely on in my feral kitchen.

$5 from each ticket is donated to the Historic Green-Wood Fund.

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Signs and Wonders

15 February 2024

BBG and Prospect Park

12pm - 3pm

$85 plus BBG membership or ticket($22 for non-members)

Unless you are a regular winter walker, you may find February a little surprising, in the terms of plant-theater. All kinds of stuff is happening: Blossoms, buds, vivid signs of life. 

Our plant walk will take in the late winter wonders at the BBG, and we may even peek into the steaming conservatories for a glimpse of an edible tropical season before crossing the road to Prospect Park, where a wilder season is in progress, and where picnics are allowed (the humanity!). 

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Follow that Scent!

8 March 2024

Prospect Park

11am - 1.30pm

$85

"Sniff this."

You'll hear that a lot during our pre-spring walk on this last day of dark afternoons (the clocks spring forward, tomorrow).  Smells. Scents. Aromas. As much a part of learning about plants as visual identification, and sometimes - especially if it's winter honeysuckle's clear, sweet fragrance - the most uplifting part of a day.

It's not spring, yet. But this is almost better. Everything is about to happen. Catch it, before you miss it. Just follow your nose...

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