ABOUT Family CLASSES and Workshops:

• 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.

• 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 that happen 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 no foraging/harvesting rule in the Metro Parks.

Winter Solstice Celebration

Saturday December 13 1-4pm

Shelby Bottoms

Gather together to celebrate the longest night and welcome the returning light in this joyful, family-centered workshop.

We’ll share the story and meaning of the Winter Solstice, blending folklore, seasonal traditions and nature-based activities. Families will create simple crafts - like evergreen wreaths, sun lanterns or nature ornaments - using natural materials. We’ll enjoy a short, guided outdoor walk to notice winter’s quiet beauty, followed by a cozy circle with warm drinks, seasonal snack, and songs or stories.

Children and adults will take part in a candle-lighting ceremony to symbolize the lengthening days ahead. Everyone leaves with handmade treasures, warm memories, and a deeper connection to the rhythms of the earth.

Ticket price is for 1 adult and 1 child, additional family members can be added for $30 apiece.

PAST PROGRAMS

Have a workshop REQUEST? 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 and practice you ability to identify edible and medicinal plants present this time of year.

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.