Activities and
layout of the event
ACTIVITIES
Guided Walks
Our guided walks will take visitors on a trip on the shore or in the forests of our community.
Our guides are not always professional botanists or naturalists but are keen to share their knowledge of the wilderness.
These walks are usually capped at 12 people and will leave from the parking lot in front of the Community Hall. They typically last from 20mn to about an hour.
Sign up sheets are available on the day of the event and we do not take "pre-bookings". It is operated on a first come first serve basis.
Walks are free of charge and our guides are all volunteers.
The Wild Harvest Festival will keep a jar where visitors can leave a donation to help with the organization of the next editions of the event.
Talks and presentations
Our more formal presentations are usually by an expert in a given field.
Visitors are invited to sit on some of the chairs set around the presenter. Typically the speaker will use a PA system and the talk is usually 15mn to about an hour long.
Talks are free of charge and our speakers are all volunteers.
The Wild Harvest Festival will keep a jar where visitors can leave a donation to help with the organization of the next editions of the event.
Table talks
These more informal talks are usually centered around a display table by a vendor present at the Festival. Typically a few minutes to about 20mn long, they will be announced over a PA system during the day.
Talks are free of charge and our speakers are all volunteers.
The Wild Harvest Festival will keep a jar where visitors can leave a donation to help with the organization of the next editions of the event.
Workshops
Some activities are more hands on and are a mix of a presentation and a do-it-yourself demonstration. Visitors will be invited to take an active role and will learn by doing.
For photography workshops, visitors should bring their own camera, and be prepared to walk outside with the workshop leader.
Workshops are usually free of charge .
The Wild Harvest Festival will keep a jar where visitors can leave a donation to help with the organization of the next editions of the event.
Samplings
Some activities are based on trying new things. Visitors will be offered samples of wild foods, drinks, etc. to challenge their palates to something different or unusual.
Sampling is usually free of charge.
The Wild Harvest Festival will keep a jar where visitors can leave a donation to help with the organization of the next editions of the event.
Forays
A foray is an outing to gather wild "ingredients".
We usually organize 2 outings of this kind to bring people into nature and gather mushrooms but sometimes also berries or other plants. We try to ID some of those in the field but also bring them back for further research and discussion.
These outings include transport and are capped at a maximum number of participants, that varies depending on the vehicle size that we would use. Bring your own knife and bag or bucket. Sturdy footwear essential. Bring your own water, snacks and rain-gear.
Sign up sheets are available on the day of the event and we do not take "pre-bookings". It is operated on a first-come first-serve basis.
Forays are usually free of charge though we sometimes would ask for a small contribution to cover gas costs. Our drivers are all volunteers.
The Wild Harvest Festival will keep a jar where visitors can leave a donation to help with the organization of the next editions of the event.
Slideshows and Movies
During the event, we usually have at least one new slideshow from our local Wildlife and landscape Photographer Laura Sample.
We also sometimes will show movies or documentaries on wild harvesting and foraging.
Slideshows and movies are usually free of charge. The Wild Harvest Festival will keep a jar where visitors can leave a donation to help with the organization of the next editions of the event.
Example of a schedule from past years
Saturday September 8th 2018
Wild Run and Walk
(Before the opening at 10:00am)
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8:30am - Meet at the Sandspit Community Hall for a "run around the Spit" led by 2018 Totem-to-Totem Half Marathon winner Melissa Paugh - About 6km
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Meet same time same place for a walk to the Spit - About 3km
Talks
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12:00pm: "Wild Edibles of Haida Gwaii" - Jairul Rahaman
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2:00pm: "Fermentation techniques" - Dan Binnema
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2:30pm: “Chiixuu tll iinasdll Nurturing Seafood to Grow: Kelp forests and sea urchins in Gwaii Haanas” - Gwaii Haanas team
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3:30pm: "Mushrooms of Haida Gwaii" - Stu Crawford
Workshops
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11:00am: “Wild Harvest Distillation” - Kyla Mitchell and Natalie Affolter from Islandwise Essentials
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1:00pm: Salt Making workshop - Cathy Baran from The Salt Cart - Maximum of 8 participants - approximately 1 hour
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1:30pm: Wilderness Photography workshop with Laura Sample - approximately 1 hour - Maximum of 8 participants - bring your own camera
Tables
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Cathy Baran - The Salt Cart
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Laura Sample - Laura's True North - Nature Photography
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Kyla Mitchell and Natalie Affolter - Islandwise Essentials
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Molly Clarckson - CHN Marine Planning
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Dan Binnema - Fermentation specialist
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Ashley Furland - Rainwater Medicine
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Kiku Dhanwant - Farm to School program
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Sarah Stevenson - Haida Gwaii Food Pantry
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Valine Crist - Swiilawiid - Clean Energy for Haida Gwaii
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Dafne Romero - North Pacific Kelp
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Stu Crawford - Biologist, botanist and lichenologist
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Doug Black - Naturalist
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Jairul Rahaman - Wild Teas
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Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
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Vancouver Island Regional Library
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More to be announced....
Activities
Forest Walks - Up to an hour long walk with an expert
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10:30am - Led by Margret Waas
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1:30pm - To be announced
Shore Walks - Up to an hour long walk with an expert
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11:30am - Led by Doug Black
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2:30pm - Led By Lakseek Bay Conservation Society
Mushroom Forays
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1:00pm and 3:00pm - This year, we will offer 2 outings around Sandspit. These 90 minute long outings will allow visitors to go for a walk in the forest and gather mushrooms that will be IDed in the field or later at the Community Hall - Transport is included - A sign up sheet will be available on the day of the event
Kids Table and Events - All day at the Sandspit Community Hall
Food
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Wild Harvest Cafe - in the community Hall - Starting at 10am til 5pm - Catered for by our local Chef Rachel from the "I Love Local" Food truck
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Pit-cooking demonstration by Stu Crawford - Cancelled due to fire ban!
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Cocktails and drinks - from noon onward at the Community Hall
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Potluck dinner at the Community Hall from 6pm - bring a dish to share with everyone!
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Special creation dinner at the Sandspit Inn by Guest Chef Bobby Sherlock
For a quick look at what the event is all about, watch this video from the 2018 edition of the event.
