Foraging the Northwoods

This immersive, seasonally guided foraging course invites students to develop a deeper relationship with the landscapes of Northern Michigan. Moving beyond basic plant identification, this class explores wild foods as an entry point into ecological literacy, cultural awareness, and personal connection with place. Not only foraging for food, but for medicine and art as well.
Through the cycle of the seasons, students will learn to recognize, ethically harvest, and prepare a selection of regionally unique species. From the spring wild leeks to summer berries, autumn acorns, and winter resources often overlooked. We will explore not only what can be gathered, but why these plants matter ecologically and culturally to Northern Michigan.

Meet Your Instructor:

Cameron Mansell
Cameron Mansell is a Northern Michigan naturalist and forager with a background in fisheries & wildlife management, and invasive species education. He has worked with tribal natural resource programs and enjoys weaving ecological knowledge, Indigenous plant names, and seasonal awareness into his teaching. Cameron is happiest wandering the woods and helping people grow a deeper relationship with the landscape they call home.
Class Details:
Location: Green Door Folk School – 2312 E Kasson Rd, Cedar, MI
Date/Time: June 21st @ 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Prerequisites/Skill Level/Age Requirements:
- No prior experience required.
- Ages 18+
Booking Information:
What happens after I book the class? After you book, we will send you a confirmation email that you are IN! A week out from the class, we will send you an email with more details about our meeting locations and some housekeeping items.
Where can I stay if I’m coming from out of town? If you’re traveling for a class, we highly recommend a stay at Cedar North, a cozy farm-stay just steps from the Green Door Schoolhouse. Nestled on a permaculture farm in Leelanau County, Cedar North offers peaceful garden views, the charm of a working goat farm, and room to roam and reflect. NOTE: Indicate you are a Green Door student at checkout for a discounted rate.
Policies:

Go for it! If you love to be outdoors and want to know more about local ecology, this is the class for you!
