This walking workshop is a fan favorite! Each year, our Winter Twig ID class has been overflowing with people eager to learn new ways to enjoy our natural world. We invite you to join us and discover the appreciation and delight that learning this unusual skill brings to your winter outings!
Besides fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world during “stick season,” knowing what deciduous trees and shrubs look like in winter has many practical benefits! You can use these identification skills in all seasons, not just winter, so you can then rely on them to help you identify plants throughout the year. Since many plants are dormant in the winter, it is a great time to gather cuttings and some seeds for propagating plants, as well as to salvage and transplant.
Schedule: choose either a morning or afternoon session. You can expect to learn how to identify 20-25 plants in their winter twig form over the course of 2.5 to 3 hours, and receive a “cheat sheet” with our top tips for identifying these species on your own.
What to know in advance:
This is an easy hike along well maintained trails and boardwalks with little to no elevation gain. The most critical part of planning for a fun outing is dressing in many warm layers and warm footwear so that you can withstand the January cold as we embark on the “botany crawl” in cold weather! If you’re used to winter hiking, you will be shocked by how quickly your body gets cold when you’re not moving briskly! If you use reading glasses, you will need them.
Parking: McLane creek has two parking areas, drive past the first and meet us at the second. This location requires a Discover Pass, though we can offer you a temporary pass in exchange for future volunteer work at the trail. If you would like to purchase your own pass, you can do so at this link. We ask that you come early for check in and carpool when you can, as parking may be crowded.
The notes above are the basics! We will send out detailed information to all registered participants in advance of the class; please contact us if you do not receive that email by the Friday before the class.
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