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Welcome to PEI - Untamed!

Plant identification, foraging, wildlife tracks & sign, and natural history interpretation in Prince Edward Island, Canada with biologist Kate MacQuarrie

About Kate MacQuarrie, MSc.

I'm a professional, award-winning biologist and naturalist in Prince Edward Island, Canada.  For more than 30 years, I've been eating wild foods, tracking wild animals, and interpreting the story this land tells about itself.  If you want to learn these skills - or just enjoy the stories that come with them - join the thousands of people who follow me here, on Facebook, and at my in-person workshops and talks.  You can also find tons of free content in my blog.  Check it out!

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Published Work

Scientific and Popular Writing

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Educating through writing

While I enjoy leading in-person workshops and lectures,  writing lets me reach so many more people.  In addition to the hundreds of short articles on this site and my Facebook page, I have a lengthy list of published articles in both scientific and popular media.

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Scientific

My scientific publications include works in the Canadian Field-Naturalist, Canadian Journal of Botany, Quaternary International, and Parks Canada's Technical Reports in Ecosystem Science.  Topics include new plant records for PEI, forest ecology, sand dune ecology and geomorphology, botanical inventories, and ecosystem management.

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Popular

My popular writing includes natural history articles in The Island Magazine, a regular column in RED: The Island Storybook, educational booklets and brochures for non-government organizations,  and short pieces for local newsletters and my Facebook page.  Topics include plant identification, ecology, foraging, wildlife tracks and sign, and PEI natural history.

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Upcoming Events

  • Important Natural Species and Spaces of PEI
    Important Natural Species and Spaces of PEI
    Important Natural Species and Spaces of PEI
    Mon, Apr 07
    Stratford
    Apr 07, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Stratford, 234 Shakespeare Dr, Stratford, PE C1B 2V8, Canada
    Apr 07, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Stratford, 234 Shakespeare Dr, Stratford, PE C1B 2V8, Canada
    An illustrated tour of PEI's natural landscapes, why they're important, key species within them, and how you can help protect these areas.
  • Intro to Mushrooms Zoom Workshop
    Intro to Mushrooms Zoom Workshop
    Intro to Mushrooms Zoom Workshop
    Tue, Apr 22
    Zoom
    Apr 22, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Apr 22, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Learn how to identify 35 beginner-level mushroom species from the comfort of your home (via Zoom). Cost: $12/person.
  • Introduction to Edible, Medicinal, and Toxic Plants of PEI (plus a few mushrooms)
    Introduction to Edible, Medicinal, and Toxic Plants of PEI (plus a few mushrooms)
    Introduction to Edible, Medicinal, and Toxic Plants of PEI (plus a few mushrooms)
    Sat, Apr 26
    Morell
    Apr 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    Morell, 89 Red Head Rd, Morell, PE C0A 1S0, Canada
    Apr 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
    Morell, 89 Red Head Rd, Morell, PE C0A 1S0, Canada
    An illustrated presentation on some of the common and easy-to-find and identify edible plants and mushrooms of PEI. Cost: FREE. All are welcome and no registration is necessary.
  • Making Cattail Pickles with the Beach Goats
    Making Cattail Pickles with the Beach Goats
    Making Cattail Pickles with the Beach Goats
    Sat, May 17
    Saint Chrysostome
    May 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    May 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Join me and the wonderful Beach Goats to learn about edible plants. We'll collect Cattails and you'll make quick pickles to take home. Registration will open about one month before the event. Cost $60/person
  • Spring Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Spring Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Spring Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, May 24
    Hazelgrove
    May 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    May 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Central PEI. Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Sat, Jun 07
    Vernon Bridge
    Jun 07, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Vernon Bridge, 269 MacPhail Pk Rd, Vernon Bridge, PE C0A 2E0, Canada
    Jun 07, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Vernon Bridge, 269 MacPhail Pk Rd, Vernon Bridge, PE C0A 2E0, Canada
    Join me for my annual, free plant identification walk in support of the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project.
  • Lady Slipper and Edible Plant Workshop
    Lady Slipper and Edible Plant Workshop
    Lady Slipper and Edible Plant Workshop
    Sat, Jun 14
    Milltown Cross
    Jun 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Milltown Cross, Milltown Cross, PE C0A 1R0, Canada
    Jun 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Milltown Cross, Milltown Cross, PE C0A 1R0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible plants AND get to see our Provincial flower - the Pink Lady's Slipper (and maybe even some of the white form!). Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Foraging with Goats
    Foraging with Goats
    Foraging with Goats
    Sat, Jun 21
    Saint Chrysostome
    Jun 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ADT
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Jun 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ADT
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Join me and the wonderful Beach Goats to learn about (and taste!) some of PEI's edible wild plants. Registration opens about a month before the event. Cost $40/person.
  • Foraging and Cat-tail Flower Boil with the Beach Goats
    Foraging and Cat-tail Flower Boil with the Beach Goats
    Foraging and Cat-tail Flower Boil with the Beach Goats
    Sat, Jul 05
    Saint Chrysostome
    Jul 05, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ADT
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Jul 05, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ADT
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Join me and the wonderful Beach Goats to learn about edible plants. We'll collect some Cat-tail flowers and boil them up for lunch! Registration opens about a month before the event. Cost: $50/person.
  • Bog Ecology and Orchid Workshop
    Bog Ecology and Orchid Workshop
    Bog Ecology and Orchid Workshop
    Sat, Jul 12
    Ellerslie
    Jul 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Ellerslie, Ellerslie, PE C0B 1J0, Canada
    Jul 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Ellerslie, Ellerslie, PE C0B 1J0, Canada
    Learn about the fascinating ecology of the peat bog and meet some rare plants, including orchids! Registration will open about one month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, Jul 26
    Hazelgrove
    Jul 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Jul 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Central PEI. Registration will open about one month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, Aug 16
    Coleman
    Aug 16, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Coleman, 36927 Western Rd, Coleman, PE C0B 1H0, Canada
    Aug 16, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Coleman, 36927 Western Rd, Coleman, PE C0B 1H0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Western PEI. Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Forest Ecology Workshop
    Forest Ecology Workshop
    Forest Ecology Workshop
    Sat, Sep 20
    New Glasgow
    Sep 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    New Glasgow, New Glasgow, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Sep 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    New Glasgow, New Glasgow, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Visit a forest with old-growth characteristics in Central PEI to learn about the plants, fungi, and ecological processes that make it important. Registration opens about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, Oct 11
    Bonshaw
    Oct 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Bonshaw, Bonshaw, PE, Canada
    Oct 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Bonshaw, Bonshaw, PE, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Central PEI. Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Firearms Safety for Women
    Firearms Safety for Women
    Firearms Safety for Women
    Fri, Mar 21
    Charlottetown
    Mar 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – Mar 22, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
    Charlottetown, 183 Upton Rd, Charlottetown, PE C1E 0B6, Canada
    Mar 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – Mar 22, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
    Charlottetown, 183 Upton Rd, Charlottetown, PE C1E 0B6, Canada
    Learn firearms safety in a fun, supportive environment hosted by Women Shooters of PEI! Cost: $60/person
  • Edible & Medicinal Plant Zoom Workshop
    Edible & Medicinal Plant Zoom Workshop
    Edible & Medicinal Plant Zoom Workshop
    Tue, Mar 18
    Zoom
    Mar 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Mar 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Learn how to find, identify and use dozens of PEI plants from the comfort of your home (via Zoom). Cost: $12/person.
  • An Introduction to Some Edible Plants and Mushrooms of PEI
    An Introduction to Some Edible Plants and Mushrooms of PEI
    An Introduction to Some Edible Plants and Mushrooms of PEI
    Tue, Mar 04
    Breadalbane
    Mar 04, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Breadalbane, 4897 St Marys Rd, Breadalbane, PE C0A 1E0, Canada
    Mar 04, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Breadalbane, 4897 St Marys Rd, Breadalbane, PE C0A 1E0, Canada
    This illustrated presentation is part of A Sustainable Stanley Bridge, a day dedicated to exploring sustainability and biodiversity related to land sea and sky. The event is free but registration is required. ***UPDATE: this event is now sold out***
  • Introduction to PEI Geology and Fossils
    Introduction to PEI Geology and Fossils
    Introduction to PEI Geology and Fossils
    Tue, Feb 18
    Zoom
    Feb 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Feb 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Enjoy an illustrated talk about PEI's unique geology and fossils from guest speaker Laura MacNeil, owner of Prehistoric Island Tours. This one-of-a-kind Zoom event is not to be missed! Cost: $12/person.
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