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Workshops and Field Courses

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Plant Identification

As a professional botanist with more than 30 years' experience working with the plants of PEI, I'm an expert in identification of local species.  I host presentations and workshops showing people how to identify plants, with a focus on edible, medicinal, poisonous and provincially-rare species.  I'll usually toss in some ecological information as a bonus!

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Wildlife Tracks & Sign

Learning to read wildlife tracks and sign can tell you much about your neighbours of other species and the world around you.  I host workshops teaching people the basic skills to do this for PEI's mammals and some key birds.   I also run a series on this topic on my Facebook page every fall and winter.

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Natural History of PEI

I describe natural history as the story our land tells about itself.  From formation of our sedimentary sandstone bedrock 300 million years ago, through the last glaciation, to our original Indigneous people and later European settlement, our land has a fascinating story to tell!  I interpret this through both presentations and field workshops.

​Upcoming Events

  • Wildlife Tracks & Sign Zoom Workshop
    Wildlife Tracks & Sign Zoom Workshop
    Wildlife Tracks & Sign Zoom Workshop
    Tue, Jan 21
    Zoom
    Jan 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Jan 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Enjoy an illustrated introduction to PEI wildlife tracks and sign from the comfort of your home (via Zoom). Cost: $12 per person.
  • Natural History of PEI
    Natural History of PEI
    Natural History of PEI
    Sat, Feb 08
    Clyde River
    Feb 08, 2025, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    Clyde River, 718 Clyde River Rd, Clyde River, PE C0A 1H1, Canada
    Feb 08, 2025, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    Clyde River, 718 Clyde River Rd, Clyde River, PE C0A 1H1, Canada
    An illustrated talk about the geological and biological history of PEI. This event is part of the Clyde River History Lecture Series and admission is free.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Sat, Oct 12
    36927 Western Rd, Coleman, PE C0B 1H0, Canada
    Oct 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    36927 Western Rd, Coleman, PE C0B 1H0, Canada
    Oct 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    36927 Western Rd, Coleman, PE C0B 1H0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Western PEI. This event is being held in support of the PEI Woodlot Owners' Association.
  • Forest Ecology Walk
    Forest Ecology Walk
    Forest Ecology Walk
    Sat, Sep 14
    New Glasgow
    Sep 14, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    New Glasgow, New Glasgow, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Sep 14, 2024, 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. Cost: $40/person. Registration is now open!
  • Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Sat, Aug 17
    Bonshaw
    Aug 17, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Bonshaw, Bonshaw, PE C0A 1C0, Canada
    Aug 17, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Bonshaw, Bonshaw, PE C0A 1C0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Central PEI. Cost: $40 per person. Registration is now open!
  • Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Thu, Aug 15
    Saint Chrysostome
    Aug 15, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Aug 15, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Learn about PEI's edible and medicinal plants in the company of friendly goats! Cost: $40 per person. Registration is now open!
  • Never Before Scene: An evening of improv and music
    Never Before Scene: An evening of improv and music
    Never Before Scene: An evening of improv and music
    Thu, Aug 01
    Charlottetown
    Aug 01, 2024, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
    Charlottetown, 2 Haviland St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 3S6, Canada
    Aug 01, 2024, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
    Charlottetown, 2 Haviland St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 3S6, Canada
    Kate MacQuarrie will be the celebrity guest for the August 1 show. Tickets $25 per person.
  • Edible and Medicinal Plants - illustrated talk
    Edible and Medicinal Plants - illustrated talk
    Edible and Medicinal Plants - illustrated talk
    Fri, Jul 26
    Alberton
    Jul 26, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
    Alberton, Alberton, PE, Canada
    Jul 26, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
    Alberton, Alberton, PE, Canada
    Join me at the Prince County Exhibition to learn about some of PEI's edible, medicinal, and toxic plants.
  • Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Thu, Jul 25
    Saint Chrysostome
    Jul 25, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Jul 25, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Learn about PEI's edible and medicinal plants in the company of friendly goats! Registration is now open. Cost: $40 per person
  • Bog Ecology and Orchid Walk
    Bog Ecology and Orchid Walk
    Bog Ecology and Orchid Walk
    Sat, Jul 20
    Ellerslie
    Jul 20, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Ellerslie, Ellerslie, PE C0B 1J0, Canada
    Jul 20, 2024, 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 is now open and the cost is $43.50 per person.
  • Bog & Orchid Walk for Island Nature Trust
    Bog & Orchid Walk for Island Nature Trust
    Bog & Orchid Walk for Island Nature Trust
    Sat, Jul 13
    Ellerslie
    Jul 13, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Ellerslie, Ellerslie, PE C0B 1J0, Canada
    Jul 13, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Ellerslie, Ellerslie, PE C0B 1J0, Canada
    This event is part of Island Nature Trust's passport to nature series and is now sold out. You can learn more on their website: https://islandnaturetrust.ca/
  • Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Thu, Jul 11
    Saint Chrysostome
    Jul 11, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Jul 11, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Learn about PEI's edible and medicinal plants in the company of friendly goats! Registration is now open. Cost: $40/per person.
  • Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Edible Plant Walk with the Beach Goats
    Sat, Jun 22
    Saint Chrysostome
    Jun 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Jun 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Learn about PEI's edible and medicinal plants in the company of friendly goats! Registration is now open, $40 per person.
  • Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk
    Sat, Jun 15
    Montague
    Jun 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Montague, 7096 Commercial Rd, Montague, PE C0A 1R0, Canada
    Jun 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Montague, 7096 Commercial Rd, Montague, PE C0A 1R0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of PEI's edible and medicinal plants in eastern PEI. Cost $40 per person.
  • Urban Foraging
    Urban Foraging
    Urban Foraging
    Wed, Jun 12
    Charlottetown
    Jun 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Charlottetown, 420 University Av, Charlottetown, PE C1A 2Y9, Canada
    Jun 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Charlottetown, 420 University Av, Charlottetown, PE C1A 2Y9, Canada
    Learn about PEI's edible and medicinal species in an urban setting.
  • Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Sat, Jun 01
    Vernon Bridge
    Jun 01, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Vernon Bridge, 269 McPhail Park Rd, Vernon Bridge, PE C0A 2E0, Canada
    Jun 01, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Vernon Bridge, 269 McPhail Park 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
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