Adult Classes and Workshops
Deepen connection to self, others, and Nature.
For adults of all skill levels, unless noted otherwise.
ABOUT ADULT CLASSES:
Please add nashvillenatureexplorers@gmail.com to your address book to be sure class information does not end up in your spam folders!!
Location details are emailed a few days before the class.
Children 14+ may register for a class/workshop with an adult present, also registered
Most classes happen outdoors, unless noted. Prepare for all weather including meeting in rain and cold (for severe weather, classes may be rescheduled).
Some walking/hiking may be required, so if you need a class to be accessible or have questions please reach out and we will work to make the class accessible.
Some of our program locations have no restrooms, or no full restrooms (port-a-potties only).
At this time, no refunds are possible for these courses. We rely on each registration to hold a class. In the rare case we cancel a class, full refunds are given. If you cannot make a class, please let us know and we will offer the spot to someone who otherwise would not be able to attend.
Some classes offer eating or drinking wild foods, and you are responsible for knowing about any allergies you may have to wild foods.
15% of ticket sales go to Metro Parks, for all classes on Metro property. This is part of our licensing agreement with them, as well as a great way to support our local parks! *Note: there is a no foraging/harvesting rule in the Metro Parks.
Mushroom Foraging Introduction
Sunday Nov 2, 10-12:00pm
Shelby Bottoms
Join Tennessee State Naturalist and forager Judy Scoville for an introduction to wild mushroom foraging. With her guidance, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to safely identify, harvest, and enjoy wild mushrooms.
Plant Walk
Sunday November 2, 12:30-2:00pm
Shelby Park
Practice your plant identification skills with Naturalist and foraging teacher Judy Scoville. This is a great way to hone your skills and gain confidence! Please note: this is not an instructional class.
Weave a Cornucopia
Saturday November 8, 1-4pm
Private Home in Cleveland Park
Celebrate the harvest season by learning to weave your own traditional cornucopia basket! This iconic form, often seen as a symbol of abundance and gratitude, makes a perfect seasonal centerpiece or gift, and is a lasting reminder of the connection between craft and the land.
We will weave this beautiful, horn-shaped vessel using natural materials such as willow, grapevine, or other flexible plant fibers.
No prior basketry experience is needed, and all materials are provided.
Cordage Workshop
Friday November 14, 6-8pm
Private Home in Cleveland Park
Cordage: a durable and powerful twine or rope made by twisting or braiding fibers
Learn one of humanity’s oldest and most versatile skills — making cordage from natural fibers! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll practice traditional, simple, and effective twisting techniques to build strong, beautiful cordage. While you work with the the local plant materials, you’ll also learn how to identify, harvest, and process the plants for your future projects. Leave with your own length of cordage and the know-how to keep practicing at home.
Hickory Bark Syrup Workshop
Saturday November 15, 1-3:30pm
Percy Warner Park
Toast hickory bark over a campfire, and turn it into a delicious syrup! Learn to identify hickory trees, harvest bark appropriately without harming the tree, and make a decoction with the fire-roasted bark. Sampling is part of the class, and all participants go home with a jar of the sweet-smoky-umami syrup!
Wild Root Beer Workshop
Saturday November 22
9am-12pm Family Workshop (all ages)
1pm-3:30pm Adult Workshop (ages 14+)
Shelby Bottoms
Discover the rich history and flavor of wild-crafted root beer by making traditional sassafras root brew. You'll learn how to safely identify and sustainably harvest sassafras root, and learn about the other aromatic wild plants commonly used in old-timey root beer recipes, such as spicebush, sarsaparilla and wintergreen.
We’ll walk through the full process: cleaning, preparing, and simmer the roots with High Garden’s “Roots Beer” tea. Next we sweeten the decoction and inoculate it with a wild yeast from organic ginger roots. The workshop ends with filling bottles to take home!
Participants will get to sample root beer, take home the recipe, and leave with a bottle of their own brew to finish fermenting at home. For those who would like to make a ginger bug for future ferments, you can add that on for $15.
This workshop is perfect for herbalists, homebrewers, foragers, and families interested in connecting with Nature in a tasty way!
*Ticket is per person
Friday December 5, 6-8pm
Private home in East Nashville
Connect with the timeless skill of making fire from the land. Robert will help you learn how to gather materials, make a bow drill set, and use steady pressure and rhythm to bring an ember to life. This is a slow, mindful practice that teaches patience, focus, and respect for the elements. All materials provided, and beginners are warmly welcomed. Celebrate that first wisp of smoke!
Friday December 5, 6-8pm
Private home in East Nashville
Fire has always gathered people — for warmth, cooking, ceremony, and connection. This workshop teaches how to build a fire, and keep it going.
We’ll practice identifying good tinder and kindling, and explore different ways to stack the wood for success. This is a great introduction to fire building, or a solid refresher!
Invasive Wreath Making
December 6th 1-4pm
Location TBD
(We’re looking for a spot with privet needing removing. If you know of one, or want to host the class, email us!)
Turn ecological restoration into art! In this workshop, we’ll harvest common invasive plants—like Japanese honeysuckle vine, and Chinese privet—and transform them into beautiful, seasonal wreaths. Learn how to identify and responsibly remove these species while exploring their impact on local ecosystems. We’ll cover basic wreath-weaving techniques, natural embellishments, and creative design tips. Participants will leave with a finished wreath and a deeper understanding of how art and stewardship can intertwine. All materials provided; no prior experience necessary.
Wild Black Cherry Bark Workshop
Dec 13 1-4pm
Private House in Cleveland Park (East Nashville)
This hands-on workshop explores the medicinal uses of wild black cherry bark (Prunus serotina). It grows abundantly in the rich soil around Nashville. Participants will learn how to identify black cherry during all seasons, and ethically harvest bark for their preparations. We will turn the bark into a syrup, tincture, and decoction. We'll discuss its historical uses by Indigenous peoples and settlers, current herbal applications, and safety considerations. Each participant will leave with a bottle of syrup or tincture, instructions for home use, and the knowledge of how to safely make your own Cherry Bark medicine next time! Suitable for all experience levels.
Classes to keep and eye out for:
Working with Reishi
PAST PROGRAMS
Have a TOPIC REQUEST? WOULD LIKE TO SEE US REPEAT A PAST PROGRAM? LET US KNOW! We also offer private Classes for groups.
Foraging 101
Join us for an introduction to foraging. We will learn about the principles of foraging, the life cycles of plants and when to harvest, and how to identify the edible and medicinal plants growing this particular time of year.
Forage and Feast
Greet the land, meet the plants, sustainably harvest, and cook a delicious, satisfying meal to share.
Urban Foraging
There is so much growing right in the city! We will walk around a city neighborhood and learn how to locate, identify, safely harvest, and prepare wild foods while still being near the city center.
Wild Food: Acorn Flour Making
Learn which oak trees produce the best acorns for making flour, how to gather and process acorns to make acorn flour. This class includes sampling acorn flour pancakes.
Mushroom Foraging
Master forager Alan Powell and naturalist Judy Scoville teach an unmatched introduction to safely foraging for wild mushrooms.
Cordage Making
Join us for a class on how to make cordage with plant fibers. Identify various plants, and learn how to process them to create rope.
Natural Dyeing
Learn the process of using local plants, mushrooms, and lichen to make natural dye, and dye a silk scarf and Patagonia t-shirt/bring light-colored/white natural-fiber items of your own such as yarn, clothing, tea towel, etc. We have used garden marigolds, black walnut hulls, elderberries, chicken of the wood mushrooms, and lichens!
Wild Root Beer Making
Learn to identify and harvest sassafras root, and process and ferment it to make a wild crafted root beer! Participants will go home with a few bottle of root beer, and a “ginger bug” to make more.
Candle Dipping
Learn a bit about the history of light, lamps, candles, and bees while dipping sweet-smelling beeswax candles for yourself, or as a special gift.
Bow Drill Making and Usage
Learn how to make a bow drill (the type of wood matters!), and use it to start a primitive fire.
Plant Walk
Join a master forager for a plant walk to practice your edible plant identification skills. This is not an instructional class, but for folks who have a base knowledge in foraging to practice plant identification get confirmation from an expert.
Hickory Bark Syrup Workshop
Learn to identify hickory trees, harvest bark appropriately without harming the tree, and turn it into a delicious syrup! Syrup sampling will be part of the class, and all participants go home with a jar of the sweet and umami syrup!
Botany Basics
Join us for an introduction to botany. Learn the basic identifying factors of 6 plant families, and the basic anatomy of a plant.
Natural Dyeing
Learn the process of using local plants, mushrooms, and lichen to make natural dye.
Basket Weaving
Learn to make a simple basket of local woven vines from harvest to finished product. Sip on delicious High Garden tea while weaving.
Wild Grap Jelly
Wild grapes have a deep, complex, delicious flavor. Learn to locate and identify wild grapes, turn them into syrup, and the syrup into jelly. Go home with two pints to enjoy!
Sourdough Basics
Receive sourdough starter, learn the basics of caring for your starter, and using it to bake the most delicious artisanal bread!
Sourdough Discard
Learn how to use your discard to make delicious new recipes.