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Workshops and Field Courses

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Plant Identification

As a professional botanist with more than 30 years' experience working with the plants of PEI, I'm an expert in identification of local species.  I host presentations and workshops showing people how to identify plants, with a focus on edible, medicinal, poisonous and provincially-rare species.  I'll usually toss in some ecological information as a bonus!

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Wildlife Tracks & Sign

Learning to read wildlife tracks and sign can tell you much about your neighbours of other species and the world around you.  I host workshops teaching people the basic skills to do this for PEI's mammals and some key birds.   I also run a series on this topic on my Facebook page every fall and winter.

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Natural History of PEI

I describe natural history as the story our land tells about itself.  From formation of our sedimentary sandstone bedrock 300 million years ago, through the last glaciation, to our original Indigneous people and later European settlement, our land has a fascinating story to tell!  I interpret this through both presentations and field workshops.

​Upcoming Events

  • Wildlife Tracks & Sign Zoom Workshop
    Wildlife Tracks & Sign Zoom Workshop
    Wildlife Tracks & Sign Zoom Workshop
    Tue, Jan 21
    Zoom
    Jan 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Jan 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Enjoy an illustrated introduction to PEI wildlife tracks and sign from the comfort of your home (via Zoom). Cost: $12 per person.
  • Natural History of PEI
    Natural History of PEI
    Natural History of PEI
    Sat, Feb 08
    Clyde River
    Feb 08, 2025, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    Clyde River, 718 Clyde River Rd, Clyde River, PE C0A 1H1, Canada
    Feb 08, 2025, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    Clyde River, 718 Clyde River Rd, Clyde River, PE C0A 1H1, Canada
    An illustrated talk about the geological and biological history of PEI. This event is part of the Clyde River History Lecture Series and admission is free.
  • Introduction to PEI Geology and Fossils
    Introduction to PEI Geology and Fossils
    Introduction to PEI Geology and Fossils
    Tue, Feb 18
    Zoom
    Feb 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Feb 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. AST
    Zoom
    Enjoy an illustrated talk about PEI's unique geology and fossils from guest speaker Laura MacNeil, owner of Prehistoric Island Tours. This one-of-a-kind Zoom event is not to be missed! Cost: $12/person.
  • Edible & Medicinal Plant Zoom Workshop
    Edible & Medicinal Plant Zoom Workshop
    Edible & Medicinal Plant Zoom Workshop
    Tue, Mar 18
    Zoom
    Mar 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Mar 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Learn how to find, identify and use dozens of PEI plants from the comfort of your home (via Zoom). Cost: $12/person.
  • Intro to Mushrooms Zoom Workshop
    Intro to Mushrooms Zoom Workshop
    Intro to Mushrooms Zoom Workshop
    Tue, Apr 22
    Zoom
    Apr 22, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Apr 22, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ADT
    Zoom
    Learn how to identify 35 beginner-level mushroom species from the comfort of your home (via Zoom). Cost: $12/person.
  • Making Cat-tail Pickles with the Beach Goats
    Making Cat-tail Pickles with the Beach Goats
    Making Cat-tail Pickles with the Beach Goats
    Sat, May 17
    Saint Chrysostome
    May 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    May 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Saint Chrysostome, St Chrysostome, PE C0B 1Y0, Canada
    Join me and the wonderful Beach Goats to learn about edible plants. We'll collect Cat-tails and you'll make quick pickles to take home. Registration will open about one month before the event. Cost $60/person
  • Spring Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Spring Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Spring Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, May 24
    Hazelgrove
    May 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    May 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Central PEI. Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Plant Walk at Macphail Woods
    Sat, Jun 07
    Vernon Bridge
    Jun 07, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Vernon Bridge, 269 MacPhail Pk Rd, Vernon Bridge, PE C0A 2E0, Canada
    Jun 07, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Vernon Bridge, 269 MacPhail Pk Rd, Vernon Bridge, PE C0A 2E0, Canada
    Join me for my annual, free plant identification walk in support of the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project.
  • Lady Slipper and Edible Plant Workshop
    Lady Slipper and Edible Plant Workshop
    Lady Slipper and Edible Plant Workshop
    Sat, Jun 14
    Milltown Cross
    Jun 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Milltown Cross, Milltown Cross, PE C0A 1R0, Canada
    Jun 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Milltown Cross, Milltown Cross, PE C0A 1R0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible plants AND get to see our Provincial flower - the Pink Lady's Slipper (and maybe even some of the white form!). Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Bog Ecology and Orchid Workshop
    Bog Ecology and Orchid Workshop
    Bog Ecology and Orchid Workshop
    Sat, Jul 12
    Ellerslie
    Jul 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Ellerslie, Ellerslie, PE C0B 1J0, Canada
    Jul 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Ellerslie, Ellerslie, PE C0B 1J0, Canada
    Learn about the fascinating ecology of the peat bog and meet some rare plants, including orchids! Registration will open about one month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, Jul 26
    Hazelgrove
    Jul 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Jul 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Hazelgrove, Hazelgrove, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Central PEI. Registration will open about one month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Summer Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, Aug 16
    Coleman
    Aug 16, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Coleman, 36927 Western Rd, Coleman, PE C0B 1H0, Canada
    Aug 16, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Coleman, 36927 Western Rd, Coleman, PE C0B 1H0, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Western PEI. Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Forest Ecology Workshop
    Forest Ecology Workshop
    Forest Ecology Workshop
    Sat, Sep 20
    New Glasgow
    Sep 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    New Glasgow, New Glasgow, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Sep 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    New Glasgow, New Glasgow, PE C0A 1N0, Canada
    Visit a forest with old-growth characteristics in Central PEI to learn about the plants, fungi, and ecological processes that make it important. Registration opens about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
  • Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Fall Edible & Medicinal Plant Workshop
    Sat, Oct 11
    Bonshaw
    Oct 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Bonshaw, Bonshaw, PE, Canada
    Oct 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Bonshaw, Bonshaw, PE, Canada
    Identify and taste some of the Island's edible and medicinal plants in Central PEI. Registration will open about a month before the event. Cost: $40/person.
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