To a botanist, an ornithologist, a biologist, the forest edge is an especially rich and diverse habitat that offers food and shelter to many species.
From larger trees to shrubs and bushes and all the way to the lowliest leaves, all are represented in that transition zone or ecological zone. For a herbalist it offers a rich cornucopia of remedies; a natural, living, green pharmacy.
On April 17, explore the woods near Innisfree Farm with an herb walk that will open your eyes to the wonders and the splendors of nature as you have never noticed before.
Use a hand lens to magnify a common lichen and see its intricate structure, perfectly adapted to catch water. Observe how the maple leaves position themselves for the sun. Learn to identify and harvest common herbs like plantain and nettles.
Herbalist, master gardener and horticulture therapist Chanchal Cabrera will share her deep understanding of the web life and the use of nature's bounty for healing. Participants are advised to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
April is a month for new beginnings, and as the season gets underway the farm will buzz with the excitement and a full roster of new herbal classes and workshops for 2013.
For more information on these and other events at Innisfree, go to www.chanchalcabrera.com or call 250-336-8767.
— Innisfree Farm