Learn

You are here:  Foraging > Learn

>>> See below for upcoming classes, presentations, and seminars that are open to the public.  If you would like to arrange for a walk or presentation, including private and small group instruction, please contact Arthur Haines by sending an email to .  Alternatively, feel free to call or write using the information supplied on the Contact page.  To see the entire listing of classes offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History, visit the Courses page.

>>> Links to other websites offering quality foraging instruction or merchandise (e.g., books, videos, supplies) can be found here.

>>> What can you expect during classes at the Delta Institute of Natural History?  Click here to find out.

Fall Foraging

26‒28 September 2008

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

This hands-on class is designed for those with with an interest in self-sufficiency, human health, and a deeper relationship with plants.  Foraging provides many avenues of connection with nature and fosters a greater appreciation of the many things that local landscapes can provide for us.  It has become increasingly clear through many independent studies that diets rich in wild foods promote health and defend the body from many of the debilitating ailments that plague modern societies (e.g., obesity, diabetes, arthritis, coronary disease, periodontal disease).  Students should expect to spend much of the weekend outside identifying, collecting, and preparing wild plants for food (so be prepared for weather and biting insects).  Class will focus on nuts, legumes, fall tubers, and wild rice (as available).  Throughout the class, simple tools will be used and reference will be made to primitive and contemporary methods of processing plants.  As well, wildcrafted medicine and utilitarian plants will be discussed to provide a more holistic understanding of how plants can positively affect our lives.  Wild nutrition is both a link to the past and a gateway to a sustainable future.  The class will be taught by Arthur Haines.  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Some locations will be visited off site so please be prepared to carpool short distances from the property.  Class begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and ends at 12:00 pm on Sunday.  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.

Primitive Pottery

15‒17 May 2009

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

Constructing containers is a vital skill for aboriginal people.  They are necessary for collecting various materials, storage, and cooking.  Many types of vessels have been created by primitive people, each style made from different raw materials—fibers, bark, animal hide, stone, mineral particles, etc.  Clay vessels are some of the most appreciated containers for their ability to be placed directly on coals (similar to a metal pot, a trait shared with very few other primitive containers in the world).  They appeared in the eastern forests about 3000 years ago and consisted of relatively unrefined clay particles and, usually, some form of temper to provide resistance to thermal shock.  Native people were intimately familiar with the clay resources and worked out methods of firing their clay to make efficient cooking vessels.  This class will introduce the world of primitive pottery, basic terminology, tools, and firing.  Small to medium size pots will be the goal of the class (the pots will be functional and can be used for cooking).  The class will be taught by Charlie Paquin, a student of Errett Callahan.  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Class begins at 10:00 am on Friday and ends at 4:00 pm on Sunday.  Because rain-free weather will be needed for the final day (when the pots are fired), additional days may be necessary (can be scheduled individually to meet students needs).  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.

Late Spring Foraging

5‒7 June 2009

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

This hands-on class is designed for those with an interest in self-sufficiency, human health, and a deeper relationship with plants.  Foraging provides many avenues of connection with nature and fosters a greater appreciation of the many things that local landscapes can provide for us.  It has become increasingly clear through many independent studies that diets rich in wild foods promote health and defend the body from many of the debilitating ailments that plague modern societies (e.g., obesity, diabetes, arthritis, coronary disease, periodontal disease).  Students should expect to spend much of the weekend outside identifying, collecting, and preparing wild plants for food (so be prepared for weather and biting insects).  Class will focus on late spring greens, flowers, and root vegetables found in forests and human-disturbed areas (as available).  Throughout the class, simple tools will be used and reference will be made to primitive and contemporary methods of processing plants.  As well, wildcrafted medicine and utilitarian plants will be discussed to provide a more holistic understanding of how plants can positively affect our lives.  Wild nutrition is both a link to the past and a gateway to a sustainable future.  The class will be taught by Arthur Haines.  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Some locations will be visited off site so please be prepared to carpool short distances from the property.  Class begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and ends at 12:00 pm on Sunday.  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.

Healing with Plants

17‒19 July 2009

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

Coping with and recovering from illness, injury, and debility has always been part of being human.  And for these complaints, plants have served as the major source of medicine.  This class will examine the use of wild plants for healing injury and supporting the body.  Students will learn a suite of plants that grow in New England that can be used for many common ailments, such as colds, infections, gastrointestinal upset, headaches, dermatitis, insomnia, etc.  Methods of collecting will be discussed, as well as directions for making infusions, decoctions, poultices, salves, tinctures, and smoking mixtures.  Throughout the weekend, various stories and examples will be shared demonstrating how plant-based medicines have preserved life and influenced aboriginal and contemporary people.  Healing with plants provides people and families with another avenue of self-sufficiency and furthers connection to the landscape.  The class will be taught by Arthur Haines (who personally uses plants and lichens for all medicinal needs).  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Class begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and ends at 12:00 pm on Sunday.  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.

Stone-tool Bow Drill

7‒9 August 2009

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

Friction fire technology has existed for many millennia and is found throughout the world in varying forms (e.g., bow drill, hand drill, strap drill, pump drill, fire saw).  One of the most reliable of these methods is the bow drill, which uses a small bow and hand socket to spin a dowel of wood on a stationary board.  Bow drills were used by many societies in northern climates.  They were sometimes also used by people of smaller stature in societies where other methods may have prevailed because of the effectiveness of this tool (such as in the desert southwest).  An increasing number of people have had the opportunity to build bow drills using metal blades and store-purchased cords.  This class will allow students to take another step forward in their proficiency of this method by harvesting materials from the landscape and constructing a functional bow drill using only stone tools.  A significant portion of the class will be dedicated to various materials that can be used as the string for the bow (this is one of the crux portions of creating a bow drill without the aid of modern tools).  Graduates of this class will have a much deeper understanding of this friction fire technique and will make strides toward possessing the complete skill (i.e., no longer needing to rely on manufactured goods for constructing bow drills).  A vital prerequisite for the class is experience using the bow drill.  The class will be taught by Arthur Haines.  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Class begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and ends at 12:00 pm on Sunday.  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.

Foraging for Edible Mushrooms

15 August 2009

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

[The description for this class is under construction.  Please check back soon.]  The class will be taught by Michaeline Peterson.  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Class begins at 10:00 am and concludes at 4:00 pm.  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.

Preserving Wild Foods

25‒27 September 2009

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

Primitive people were skilled at preserving food for extended periods of time, which was necessary for lengthy migrations and lean times during the winter season.  Unfortunately, many people living in developed countries are unable to keep food without the use of modern appliances (e.g., refrigerator, freezer).  This class examines several primitive and rustic methods of food preservation that do not rely on continued use of near- or sub-freezing temperature.  Drying will be discussed at length and several methods will be demonstrated, ranging from commercial dehydrators to the simple use of stone and bark slabs to dry fruit and other items.  Fruit leather, jerky, and pemmican will all be made during the class.  Canning, fermenting, and root cellaring will also be discussed and demonstrated.  Nutritional aspects will be discussed where known, including the beneficial aspects of fermented foods.  For those interested in living without complete dependence on electricity (whether that be "living off the grid" or emergency preparedness), this weekend will present a valuable set of skills.  Portions of the weekend will be spent gathering some local wild foods as material for preserving.  The class will be taught by Arthur Haines.  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Class begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and ends at 12:00 pm on Sunday.  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.

Earth Living 1

16‒18 October 2009

(Offered in conjunction with the Maine Primitive Skills School)

This class is designed to provide students with exposure to some of the core primitive technologies that were used by aboriginal people for daily living.  The class will introduce many vital ancestral living skills, such as simple stone blade manufacture, cordage making, fire building, primitive cooking, shelter construction, primitive hunting tools, traps, and nature observation (with an emphasis on tracking).  Participants should expect to leave this class with an understanding of some of the important skills possessed by those who live with a close connection to the landscape.  Further, this class is often a pre-requisite for more advanced classes offered at the Maine Primitive Skills School.  It is interesting to note that many people with an interest in archeology (amateur or professional) have found that attending primitive skills workshops and seminars have gained a better understanding of the materials and tools used by aboriginal people, which in turn has assisted their research projects.  This class is open to students of all abilities.  Class will be offered at the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, ME (click here if you need directions).  Class begins at 7:00 pm on Friday and ends at 12:00 pm on Sunday.  If you are interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html.