Plant and Wild Edibles Series

Photo from CT Foraging Club

Saturdays, March 28, April 11 and 18, 2026
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This series is led by Joe Ross, owner of eattheplanet.org. Eat the Planet focuses on foraging and wild edibles, and maintains a website with a database that helps people find foraging classes and groups in all 50 states. Our classes will include exploring the Larsen Sanctuary looking for wild edibles and learning about plant identification. Pre-registration is required.

March 28 – Intro. to Local Tree and Shrub Identification (Part 1): Class will focus on how to identify local trees and shrubs. Includes a hike looking at specific plant characteristics that will help you to learn to identify several common local trees and shrubs. We’ll discuss the importance of the scientific name, and ecological and historical factors associated with each plant. 

April 11 – Intro. to Local Tree and Shrub Identification (Part 2): Class will be a continuation of the March 28 session on plant identification. In this class we’ll be looking in more detail at plant morphology and the small features that help with identification. Plant life cycles and learning to identify plants at different stages will also be highlighted as we work with a list of local native and non-native plants.

April 18 – Wild Edibles in Connecticut: This class covers edible properties of local plants: what to look for and what to avoid. We’ll discuss historical and medicinal uses, as well as potential for under-rated alternative crops that can be grown or foraged locally.

Series fee: $60 Members; $75 Non-members. Register here.

Classes meet at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Streeet, Fairfield, CT.