Practical Ethnobotany

The garden and wider estate at Great Dixter provide rich, multi-layered habitats for wildlife and humans alike. During this course you will learn to read and understand your natural surroundings, discover what plants can provide for us and how we can give back with an introduction to habitat restoration practices.

The course will take place one afternoon a month, over four months. You will have the opportunity to spend time outside, immersing yourself in nature, tapping in and out of various disciplines whilst developing your understanding of the different habitats that plants grow in. The day will finish with an outdoor fire, a wild snack and a warm cup of tea harvested from the land.

Topics covered could include:

Herbal medicine, culinary uses of plants, practical skills including glue, rope, plant and habitat identification, looking at specific plants throughout the growing season, using deep observation to better understand plant ecosystems and ourselves, habitat restoration and landscape stewardship.

The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in plants and the natural world whether you are a complete beginner, an outdoor practitioner wishing to build on previous skills and knowledge or are wanting to find out more about habitat restoration and conservation.

Michael Wachter, is an experienced outdoorsman and primitive skills practitioner whose teachings come from nature. His style is process rather than goal orientated. He has lectured to an international audience on the subjects of rewilding, habitat restoration and foraging.

22th February- Buds, Fire, medicinal mushrooms – at Great Dixter- 1:30-5:30pm

22rd March- Shoots and tree water– at Great Dixter- 1:30-5:30pm

27th April – Wild feast fermenting – at Great Dixter- 1:30-5:30pm

31th May – Coastal foraging, Seaweed– at Pett Level beach- 1:00-4:00pm

£280.00 per place.

Limited reduced cost bursary places are available. Please email [email protected]