Upper Delaware River Region, PA and NY – On Saturday, August 22 from 2pm-5pm at the Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, PA, the public is invited to join herbalist Heather Houskeeper in exploring the wild edible and medicinal plants that inhabit our landscape during part one of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s Edible & Medicinal Plant Exploration Series.

Attendees will meet plants that are easy to recognize, safe to work with, and inhabit your backyard, garden, and familiar wild places. Learn how to identify, ethically harvest, and prepare them as delicious meals and useful home remedies. Heather will share insights from over a decade of experience in working with wild edible and medicinal plants. Discover the nutritious and delicious wild plants that grow just outside your door!

This program will consist of a moderately challenging walk through the rolling fields of the Van Scott Nature Reserve. Please dress appropriately with sun protection and closed-toe walking shoes. Bring water and snacks as needed.

Program fee is $10 for Conservancy members and $15 for non-members; space is limited and advance registration is requested. For program details and to register, please visit www.DelawareHighlands.org/events or call Education and Volunteer Coordinator Jen Campbell at 570-226-3164 ext. 2.

Part two of this series is an Elderberry Syrup workshop with Jeanine Davis on Saturday, October 3rd, also at the Van Scott Nature Reserve. Attendees are not required to sign up for both programs in the series.

Heather Houskeeper is an herbalist and forest therapy guide, long-distance hiker, and author. Heather “The Botanical Hiker” has professionally guided others into the natural world through seminars, workshops, and walks since 2010 and is the founder of the School of Plant and Place Connection, an in-person herbal medicine program in Milford, Pa. Heather has hiked thousands of miles, including the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, studying and working with the plants for food and medicine. She is the author of three trail-inspired books about wild edible and medicinal plants and the Wild Food columnist for Dirt Magazine.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s mission is to conserve the forests, farmland, clean waters, and wildlife habitat of the Upper Delaware River region for present and future generations and to foster environmental stewardship through community engagement. For more information, call 570-226-3164/845-583-1010 or visit www.DelawareHighlands.org.