Urban Rewilding - Coastal foraging
Event description
Urban Rewilding
Are you longing to experience a deeper sense of connection to the place, plants and animals where you live?
To feel a sense of belonging to a wild community – even in the city?
The Urban Rewilder invites us to experientially explore skills and practices that cultivate a sense of intimacy with the ‘wild’ within an urban context. In this ‘age of separation,’ it is our important that we return to a more meaningful connection with the wider natural world, especially for the majority of us who live in the city.
Join experienced facilitator and Rewilder, Claire Dunn for a deep dive into Urban Rewilding.
'Coastal foraging' is a 1 day session that can be experienced on its own, or as part of the 8 week The Urban Rewilding course.
Coastal foraging
Join us by the seaside for this coastal foraging and culinary adventure. Learn about the many uses of seaweed - an abundant, local and regenerative resource. Guest facilitator Christine Rockley, a self-taught expert on edible seaweeds, will take us on a magical mystery tour of Melbourne’s edible coastline. Learn how to identify, cook and preserve a range of different seaweeds as well as help create a foraged feast for lunch.
Chris has an interest in ethnobotany and foraging and has previously given talks on edible weeds, native plants and has a solo exhibition on native insect pollinators and hedgerows. You can find out more about her art and her sketching workshops at chrisrockley.com.
Bring along some gloves and shoes (in case of sharp objects on the beach), a small (500 ml) opaque container to take away some seaweed solution you’ll learn how to make for your garden, and your sense of adventure for tasting the seaweed delicacies we’ll be making on the day.
8 week Course - Session Outline
Session 1 Deep Nature Connection Practices
An introduction into the core routines of deep nature connection including natural movement, wide awareness, sensory expansion and sit spot.
Session 2 Coastal foraging
Guest facilitator Christine Rockley, a self-taught expert on edible seaweeds, will takes us on a delicious mystery tour of Melbourne’s edible coastline.
Session 3 Holistic tracking
An introduction to the art and science of holistic tracking during an excursion to Westerfold Park
Session 4 Traditional earth skills – Fire-by-friction and coal-burnt spoon whittling
Learn the art of ‘hand-drill’ fire making and whittling and burning a spoon from your first fire.
Session 5 Wild edibles
A wild foraging wander for native and introduced edible plants. Session include sharing a foraged wild lunch.
Session 6 Wild Mind
An introduction to the philosophy and practice of eco-psychology
Session 7 Natural Crafts – Basket Weaving
Begin your own traditional hand-woven basket using natural materials and learn the principles of the ‘honourable harvest’
Session 8 Urban Rewilding Adventure Challenge
A grand treasure and challenge adventure to celebrate and test your newfound rewilding skills!
A certificate of participation will be issued upon completion of at least 75% of the course.
What to expect
- Expert CERES Facilitators providing hands-on practical experience balanced with theory covering a variety of rewilding and eco-psychology topics.
- Practices cultivating sensitivity to the land and ecological literacy such as bird language, sit spots, natural movement and awareness, tracking and foraging.
- Dedicated space at CERES to put learning into practice.
What to bring
- Comfortable enclosed shoes/boots
- Appropriate weather gear eg sunhat
- 3 Inch non-serrated whittling knife
- Binoculars (optional)
- Pen and paper
- Lunch
- Enthusiasm to learn