“This course is everything I’ve been looking for – a way to share and build on foraging knowledge, strengthen community, and reconnect to our mother earth. I eagerly await each class and walk away with a greater sense of connection with myself and others.”
Cassandra O.
Student ’25-’26
What to expect…
- 1 class per month over 12 months (March-February)
- You’ll join a cohort of students to learn with throughout the year
- Each class is in a different location, covering a different concept, and focusing on different plants
- Each class includes a lecture and hands-on activity
“What a breath of fresh air. This organization really has it all, and it’s so nice! The teaching is so fun and engaging, the knowledge you will gain is BANANAS, you’ll be in beautiful places, you’ll get into nature through hands-on learning, you’ll make meaningful connections, you’ll laugh so hard, you’ll be part of a heartwarming community! In all honesty, WFS is one of the few places in my life that I feel I can be me and it will always be okay. I really feel like I have found my place here, and I am so thankful. I highly recommend any of their programs both paid and free, and their free community events!”
Natasha W.
Participant ’25-’26
What You’ll Experience
Diverse Ecosystems
- We will travel throughout northwestern Oregon, from montane forests to coastal intertidal zones.
- Experience the region’s incredible biodiversity and seasonal shifts firsthand.
- Class locations may be up to a 2 hour drive from Portland – we highly encourage carpooling! Locations include Sauvie Island (OR), Sandy (OR), Oregon City (OR), Lincoln City (OR), Colton (OR), White Salmon (WA), Skamokowa (WA)
Hands-On Learning
- We go beyond plant identification! You’ll learn how to process, prepare, and tend to wild foods and medicines.
- Each class includes a lecture, and then we will go out to forage together and make food, medicines, or crafts from what we harvest.
Community & Connection
- Spend one day a month immersed in nature alongside a group of like-minded folks (you’ll travel with the same cohort for a full year).
- Share knowledge, stories, and meals as you form lasting bonds with fellow participants.
- Take a risk and join a carpool – even when it may be inconvenient or uncomfortable!
- Take advantage of additional opportunities to connect outside of class.
Land Tending
- While it is our belief that using wild plants can be both beneficial for the ecosystem and a path to kinship with our place, a relationship goes both ways. This course is rooted in reciprocity. You will walk away having a better understanding of how to take care of plants and ecosystems.
- Every class starts with an exploration of a complex concept that is important to know when foraging (or living on this Earth!)
- You will be invited to take the concepts and skills you learn in each class into your own life, learning how to tend to a plant of your choosing.
Meet Your Guide:
Shelby Lynn
Shelby has been teaching about the unique ecology of the Pacific Northwest since 2005. Their passion for habitat restoration, permaculture principles, and collective liberation fuels a teaching style that is both engaging and transformative. Drawing on experience from institutions such as the Sitka Center for Arts & Ecology and community-led organizations like Rosehip Collective, Shelby will guide you to see the land through an ecological lens—shifting your focus from a human-centric perspective to a broader, more interconnected worldview.
Highlights of the Foraging Immersion
Month-by-Month Focus
Explore everything from early-spring weeds to winter roots and rhizomes—each class unveiling new insights into the local environment.
Communal Meals
Share freshly foraged meals that highlight the best of each season’s bounty in a hands-on cooking experience.
Ethical Land-Tending
Learn to give back to the land by practicing reciprocity, restoration, and habitat care.
Practical Skills
Gain confidence in foraging safely, using what you harvest for food, herbal medicines, basketry materials, and more.
Who This Program Is For
“I absolutely love this program and would recommend it to anyone who likes spending time in nature and wants to reconnect with people and nature in a safe, fun, and breath easy environment!”
Grace M.
Student ’25-’26
Reserve Your Spot
$2,444
$2,200
Ready to embark on this year-long journey through Oregon’s ecosystems? Our Foraging Immersion Program is designed to enrich your life, expand your understanding of the natural world, and nurture a deeper connection to the land and one another. Spaces are limited to keep our learning community small and personalized.
“I’ve taken various courses from Shelby over the years, and the Foraging Immersion Program is by far the most in-depth program I’ve found. Shelby’s whimsical, playful style creates an inviting environment where we can grow our understanding of plants, fungi, and the land we frequent. Each month centers on a specific focus, helping us dig deeper into new perspectives and approaches. Working with this cohort has been incredible for building a sense of community, and the blend of discussions, lectures, and hands-on activities truly brings the topics to life.”
– Ryy S.
10am-4pm each day except for Intertidal Adventure, which depends on tides.
Additional days will be added based on interest and applications.
“The Wildwood Folk School and its community is as diverse and magical as the plant world it serves to educate people about. What I have learned is a truly holistic approach to foraging, plant medicine, and conservation. Shelby and Jera (and so many fellow students in the sessions) speak to the history of the earth, the evolution of the plant/human connection, and the botany of each environment. The diverse classrooms we have experienced; coastal flora and fauna, urban farms, riparian forests have been eye-opening and endlessly educational. This school will change your life, deepen your craft and teach you about more than just plants. I feel incredibly grateful for its existence.”
Tayler W.
2026 Foraging Dates
Saturday & Sunday cohorts
10am – 4pm most sessions
Why Choose Wildwood Folk School?
Our Vision
We envision a future in which communities are strengthened through the lifelong learning and practice of nature-based skills, and people find belonging as stewards of the land.
Our Mission
- We help people deepen relationships to plants, food, medicine, and place through foraging and craft. Our events and classes are rooted in reciprocity and a hands-in-the-dirt approach.