Let’s Get Back to Our Roots – and Shoots and Fruits! 

Long before industrial farming, indigenous communities relied on the bountiful natural landscapes of Southern Wisconsin to provide them with a full and balanced diet. In this unique 3-part workshop series – led by botanists, chefs, master naturalists and foraging experts – you’ll learn the basics and/or deepen your understanding of wild edibles, where to find and ethically harvest them, and how to incorporate them into nourishing meals and preserves. Ingredients harvested during the first two workshops (9/17 and 10/01) will be used to prepare a feast at the Chef’s Table event on 10/8. Join us in reconnecting with nature in our watershed and bridging the gap from forest (and prairie) to fork!

This workshop is PART ONE of a THREE PART series. You may register for the workshops/chef’s table individually, or select the package option below for the ultimate foraging and dining experience! Workshop participation is not required to attend the Chef’s Table event.

Intro to Foraging Workshop with Chris Gavin of Eagle Outdoor Skills   

Description: Join us as we learn the basics of foraging your own food in Southern Wisconsin. Topics covered will include safety, tools, recommended books, techniques, and conservation. During the second half of the workshop, students will head out to the field for some hands-on learning and plant identification.

Date: September 17th, 2022 

Time: 10am-12pm

Ages: 12+

Venue: Three Waters Reserve and adjacent natural areas

What to Bring: Water bottle, snacks, long-sleeved weather appropriate clothing, hat, hiking shoes or boots, gathering basket/bag 

Closing Date for Registration: September 15, 2022

Cost: $40 per person (25 seats available)

Registration for this course is now closed. Sign up for the next foraging workshop here, and the chef’s table event here. 

---

Forage-to-Table Course Package

Description: Registration for the full course package includes attendance to both foraging workshops (Intro to Foraging and Foraging Immersion) and the Wild Harvest Chef’s Table. Foragers who register for the package will enjoy $20 in savings.  

9/17 Intro to Foraging Workshop (10am-12pm) course description listed above

10/1 Foraging Immersion Workshop (10am-12pm) full course description here

10/8 Wild Harvest Chef’s Table (6pm-9pm) full event description here

Please see individual event details for course descriptions, what to bring, and venue information.

Closing Date for Registration: September 15, 2022

Cost: $155 (25 seats available)

Registration for this package is now closed. Find an updated package offering for the remaining 2 events here.

---

About the Venue:

Three Waters Reserve is a privately-owned nature reserve and event center owned and managed by the Southern Wisconsin Land Conservancy. The event center sits on 57 acres of restored native habitat along the Lower Sugar River near Brodhead, WI. Once occupied by the Decatur Lake Golf Course (1926-2018), the reserve is now home to the Lower Sugar River Watershed Field Station, a hub for watershed research and education, and unique food experiences of Chef John Marks of Culinary Nirvana, LLC. The dramatic topographic relief and habitats on the property range from upland oak savanna and prairie to forested and emergent wetlands and open water, making it an important area for biodiversity, including rare and uncommon plant species and wildlife. The property is located in a reach of the Sugar River featuring public and private nature preserves and wildlife management areas comprising nearly 7,000 acres of Avon Bottoms and adjacent conservation lands, considered a state wetland gem and important bird area.