Pacific Northwest Foraging APprenticeship

2025

Foraging Apprenticeship

Join a small, intimate group of 12 participants in our 8-month Foraging Apprenticeship, designed to deepen your knowledge of plants, mushrooms, and ecological relationships in Northwestern Washington. Our sessions take place on the 4th Saturday of every month, with each outing exploring a different ecosystem to discover different plants and fungi through the season. You'll gain hands-on experience in plant and mushroom identification, sustainable harvesting, and traditional uses.

Program Details

  • Dates: February-May, August-November, 2025

  • Time: 10 AM – 4 PM

  • Cost: $999 for 8 monthly field courses throughout Washington

  • Location: Different ecosystems around Washington (with optional overnight outings in June and July)

  • Limited spots: Only 12 participants to ensure personalized instruction and a supportive group setting.

Recommended Additional Outings:

These overnight intensives are recommended for more in-depth learning and experience in farther away ecosystems. We do offer a 10% discount on overnight intensives for current or former apprentices*.

*The discount code will be sent to your email after signing up for the Foraging Apprenticeship. If you are a former apprentice and want to join us, please Contact Us so we can send you a discount code.

Our Foraging Apprenticeship Registration Is NOW OPEN!

$999

for 8 Monthly Day Trips

Dates & Focuses

  • Explore the riverside ecosystems of the North Cascades and learn about the survival strategies of winter plants. Focus on cottonwoods and other species that thrive in cold months, and discover the many ways these plants have been used traditionally for food, medicine, and materials.

  • Venture into the forest to discover the first signs of spring, with a special focus on nettles and bitter plants. Learn about their powerful health benefits, ethical harvesting techniques, and the rich ecology of early spring in the forest.

  • Visit old-growth forests in the spring to witness the delicate beauty of maple blossoms and other early-season plants. Learn to identify the unique characteristics of these plants and understand their cultural and ecological significance in the Pacific Northwest.

  • Explore the diverse rose family, including the delicious and medicinal salmonberries, with the possibility for spring mushrooms. This session will focus on the delicate balance between plants and fungi and how they work together in the springtime ecosystem.

  • NOT INCLUDED, BUT RECOMMENDED

    Head out for an overnight campout in the Eastern Cascades to experience a completely different ecology. This weekend foraging trip offers hands-on learning in identifying plants, mushrooms, and medicinal herbs in this unique environment, all while camping under the stars.

    10% off tuition for Foraging Apprentices

    LEARN MORE

  • NOT INCLUDED, BUT RECOMMENDED

    Embark on a 3-day backpacking trip to the high elevations of the North Cascades, where you'll forage for high-altitude plants and learn about their ethnobotanical uses. This immersive experience combines hiking, foraging, and backpacking.

    10% off tuition for Foraging Apprentices

    LEARN MORE

  • Late summer brings a bounty of wild fruits and berries. Spend the day identifying and harvesting delicious and nutritious summer fruits, learning their medicinal properties and how to incorporate them into your diet and wellness practices.

  • Explore plants used for their fibers and dyes, learning about their traditional uses in crafting and art. In addition, you'll discover early-season mushrooms, with a focus on identification, sustainability, and culinary uses.

  • This hands-on mushroom foray will focus on foraging and identifying edible and medicinal mushrooms in the wild. Learn how to properly harvest and prepare mushrooms and gain a deeper understanding of their ecological roles in the forest.

  • On this final outing, explore high-elevation mushrooms and root plants, preparing for the winter months. As the apprenticeship concludes, reflect on your journey, share insights, and celebrate the knowledge gained over the past 10 months.

** Our overnight intensives are additional learning opportunities we recommend our Foraging Apprentices attend for more in-depth learning about farther away ecosystems and wilderness living. These intensives are not included with the Foraging Apprenticeship.

Forage throughout the year

The 2025 Foraging Apprenticeship at Rainwalk Rewild is designed to provide participants with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in foraging practices specific to the Pacific Northwest. Over the course of four months, participants will delve into various foraging skills essential for sustainable living in the region.

The program is structured around seasonal changes in different ecosystems around Washington state. Through a combination of workshops, field trips, and practical sessions, participants will learn to identify, harvest, process, and utilize a diverse range of wild foods and medicinal plants. By the end of the apprenticeship, participants will have developed a deep understanding of the local ecosystem, honed their foraging skills, and gained the confidence to incorporate foraged ingredients into their daily lives.

Learning Objectives

  • Plant and mushroom identification skills are crucial for foragers as they enable accurate species recognition, ensuring safe and responsible harvesting practices.

  • Ethical harvesting practices not only preserve plant and fungal populations but also honor ancestral knowledge systems and maintain ecological balance.

  • By practicing ancestral skills related to foraging, participants not only reconnect with traditional methods of sustenance but also preserve cultural heritage and foster a sense of continuity with the past.

  • These activities collectively cultivate a sense of resilience by empowering individuals to sustainably utilize natural resources while fostering a deep connection to nature and their bioregion.

  • Promoting stewardship and fostering a harmonious relationship with the environment are essential for cultivating a sustainable future and preserving the natural world for generations to come.

Sample Schedule

10:00 AM - Arrival & Welcome

  • Check-in, introductions, and overview of the day

  • Brief group discussion about the theme for the day (e.g., plant and mushroom identification, sustainable harvesting)

10:30 AM - Morning Field Exploration

  • Begin the foraging outing, exploring the local ecosystem

  • Identify plants, fungi, and natural resources relevant to the day's focus (e.g., berries, mushrooms, or medicinal plants)

  • Hands-on practice with identification, ethics, and sustainable harvesting

12:00 PM - Break & Lunch (30 Minutes)

  • Enjoy a quick break and a shared, nature-based lunch

  • Optional group discussion about plant uses, medicinal properties, or sustainability practices

12:30 PM - Group Workshop / Skill Practice

  • Continue fieldwork with a focus on a specific skill (e.g., preparing herbal remedies, making fiber cordage, or mushroom foraging techniques)

  • Demonstrations of relevant skills or crafts based on what’s been foraged that day

2:00 PM - Practical Application & Small Group Activity

  • Break into small groups to practice what’s been learned (e.g., preparing an herbal salve, creating a fiber cord, or cooking with wild mushrooms)

  • Time for one-on-one guidance from the instructor, Q&A, and troubleshooting

3:00 PM - Group Reflection & Wrap-Up

  • Share experiences, reflections, and discoveries from the day

  • Discuss how to integrate these skills into daily life

  • Review what to expect for the next session

4:00 PM - Departure

  • End of the day’s program, with a reminder of any follow-up resources or assignments (e.g., journal entries, reading materials, or upcoming field trips)

Why Choose Rainwalk Rewild?

At Rainwalk Rewild, we offer a compelling foraging apprenticeship program that stands out for its unique blend of nature connection, sustainability principles, and mindful learning experiences. Participants are immersed in a journey of reconnection with the natural world, focusing on essential foraging skills including plant and mushroom identification, ethical harvesting and preparation techniques, and establishing a sense of resiliency and creativity within our Pacific Northwest bioregion.

Choosing to join our apprenticeship not only equips you with practical knowledge but also nurtures personal growth and a strong sense of community among participants who share a passion for foraging. Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a curious beginner, Rainwalk Rewild provides an inclusive space for individuals of all experience levels to deepen their understanding of the natural world.

Meet the Guides

Our co-founders, Matt and Ansley, have each been teaching outdoor education for 10 years. Their leadership experience spans wilderness survival, ecotherapy, outdoor adventure, and nature connection. They are thrilled to bring their expertise and passion to Rainwalk Rewild’s foraging apprenticeship.

 FAQs

  • Yes. For some of our outings, we might be visiting our public lands, and you will need to purchase an annual pass ($30), day pass ($5), or carpool with someone who has one.

  • While we love teaching Youth Programs, this program is specifically tailored towards adult learning and socializing. In addition to community building activities, we will be covering advanced botany topics, practicing hands-on skills, and hiking for 2-3 hours. Older teens (16-17) might have an easier time keeping up with subjects, hiking, and hands-on portions with or without parental guidance.

  • We do recommend that folks who are feeling unwell stay home to care for themselves. If you cannot attend one of the sessions, we do not offer refunds; however, we do send in-depth recap emails after every session and will be opening a Facebook group for discussions between sessions.

    Please read our Policies for more information.

  • We operate rain or shine. Please be prepared to hike 2-3 hours in any weather condition with or without an indoor option. In the event that a particular day is truly awful, we do have access to an indoor venue on a private 80-acre property where we can gather instead of at a trailhead.

    Read our Policies for more information.

  • Yes! We do seasonal ethnobotany courses, plant walks, and forays throughout the year.

    See our Upcoming Courses to find out what’s next or inquire about a Custom Program.

If you still have questions or feedback about anything you found here, please Contact Us. We’re all ears!

Become the forager’s apprentice

$999

for 8 Monthly Day Trips