Join Lynn Shore, professional forager and herbalist, to explore local nature as we approach Samhain.

SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER
10.00 – 12.00 – Park Frankendael
€30 per person

On this 2-hour gentle walk, we will look to local plants, animals and other life forms, for signs of Samhain. That is the cross-quarter day between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. It is seen by many as the start of the Pagan New Year. It is the time when the wild hunt is said to rip through the world, and certainly, it can be a time of spectacular changing weather. Samhain is a time of reflection, inwardness, mushrooms and roots (both the plant and family kind).

You will learn about
Local wild creatures, edible and medicinal plants
Signs in nature as the seasons change
Wild and feral Amsterdam plants
How to identify, harvest and safely use local herbs
Ways to help local wildlife
Increasing your connection to place and self-reliance
Simple rituals to bring yourself closer to urban nature at Samhain

What to expect
This small group walk will be 2 hours long, starting and ending at the same location, near the bike racks closest to Huize Frankendael/Restaurant Merkelbach. We will walk in the woods, alongside water, on grass and other areas of the park. The walk will go ahead in all weather except for storms, so dress for the occasion and check for updates if we get storms. There will be opportunity to walk barefoot, but no pressure if you prefer not to. There will be a handout to help you remember things afterwards and we will drink herbal tea from herbal finds. If you want to forage, please bring along a small paper or cotton bag to take home some herbs and seeds. The walk is gentle and fairly slow, the paths are mostly natural, of woodchip or soil. We will sit outside to drink herbal tea and eat the wild snack. There is a public toilet in the park.
Come prepared to connect simply and more deeply to urban nature.

About your guide
Lynn is an experienced herbalist and professional forager, who is specialized in local herbs and reconnecting city people to nature. She has been teaching foraging in Amsterdam and helping city people become more self-reliant for 14 years, and has been a practicing herbalist for over 20 years. Her special interest is improving mental health through herbs and nature. Lynn set up the beautiful community foraging gardens, over 10 years ago, in Park Frankendael. Part of this walk will be in there. In April 2025, she’ll be participating in the Wildbiome project, eating only wild food for one month, as part of a research project investigating how wild foods affect our health.

Booking
Email urban.herbology.lynn@gmail.com to book your place. When payment is received, your place will be confirmed by email. Please see the fair cancellation policy on the Events page.