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San Diego County, California

Wildcrafting: Wild Elderberry Syrup and Blackberry Pie - Sunday, September 24 2023

Date: 
Sunday, September 24, 2023 - 10:00am

Sunday September 24: Join VMF's Outdoor Naturalist Educator, Janice Smith,in this fun hands-on workshop where you will learn about the wide variety of fall berries that grow in abundance on Volcan Mountain. Then we will roll-up your sleeves to make elderberry syrup and bake blackberry pie.

Volcan Mountain has a diverse abundance of blackberries, elderberries, wood strawberries, chokecherries, coffee berries, toyon berries, manzanita berries, and Sierra gooseberries, all of which are important food sources for local birds and wildlife. We will start with a short walk to identify the various types of berries growing in the area and discuss which are in edible, the season they are available to harvest, and ways to use them.

Participants will get hands-on experience processing the berries and work in teams to make elderberry syrup and two blackberry pies. Both elderberries and blackberries are delicious and high in antioxidants and immune building properties. We will enjoy the pie with ice-cream! Please bring a small glass jar to take home some elderberry syrup.

Note: Due to its popularity, this workshop repeats Saturday, September 23.

Date: Sunday, September 24

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Due to the gated entry for VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center, please plan to arrive by 9:45 am

Cost: $25 per person. Space is limited to 12 participants. 

Bring: Water, snacks, and/or lunch

Location: VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center in Julian.(22850 Volcan Road/4002 Farmer Road, Julian, CA 92036)

Wildcrafting workshops are generally held every other month on the 4th Sunday of the month from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Holidays might change the date of the workshops. 

You can contact the VMF office with questions or for more information at 760-765-2300 or contact Janice at education@volcanmt.org

Wildcrafting is the age-old practice of collecting or harvesting plants from their natural habitat, or “wild” habitat, for food, medicine, or craft.  It applies to uncultivated plants wherever they might be found and is not necessarily limited to wilderness areas. Ethical considerations and sustainable behaviors are practiced, such as protecting endangered species and avoiding potential depletion of commonly held resources. The practice of sustainable wildcrafting requires making a commitment to develop your knowledge and connection to the natural landscape, deepen your local sense of place, and take responsibility for its regeneration for future generations. For more information, please watch VMF's 10 Best Practices for Foraging Wild, Edible Plants.

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