What we’re about
The main purpose of this group is to share traditional “back to the land” skills and develop a greater connection to and appreciation for our Earth, while having fun and making connections with others in the general eastern MN and western WI area.
In addition to "skills", this site is also a format for posting earth connecting events....like solstice celebrations, raptor center bird releases, earth day happenings, and farm/earth based festivals and gatherings.
Please post any classes, workshops, or gatherings, that you would like to offer or know about that fit this group's theme. there is really a shortage of people willing to teach. so if you have something to offer, please consider sharing.
“Back to the land” skills are referred to by various names, such as Folk-Green-Traditional-Nature-Wilderness-Earth-Primitive-Survival-Native-Homesteading Skills. If you are interested in being more connected to nature, sustainability, self sufficiency, and have ever wanted to learn about: edible wild plants, tanning hides, wool spinning/felting, flintknapping, mushrooms, making fire without matches, maple syruping, cheese making, basket making, bee keeping, hunting/fishing, gardening + seed saving, canning+food preservation, homemade soap, raising animals, natural building, knitting/sewing, wood working, herbal medicine, etc and too many others to list. then please join and lead or attend a class/workshop.
This group is intended to have an emphasis on honoring and connecting to Earth (the plants, animals, water, air, and soil) by raising awareness of our relationship with nature, and how the Earth provides so abundantly for us, nourishing our body, mind, and spirit.
In addition to learning skills, may we have gratitude and honor for all the earth gifts that provide life.
If you RSVP for a class, but later decide not to attend, please un-RSVP as that is considerate and helpful for whoever is leading the class.
*Any children present at a Meetup event must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Wilderness Wisdom: Exploring Nature’s Bounty & Animal SecretsEast Bethel, East Bethel, MN$80.00
About This Event
We share this Earth with a multitude of plants and animals, but we might not notice them in our daily lives. Support and mentoring from experienced teachers can activate our natural capacity to recognize these beings and their signs on the landscape. Developing familiarity with our kin can yield deep peace, joy, and connection to a greater whole – a vital skill in this age of stress and distraction.Join Maria Wesserle and Kirsten Welge to awaken your senses and relate to the land and its inhabitants as a part of an interconnected, resilient earth. This program weaves together experiences of foraging, wildlife tracking, and shinrin yoku (forest bathing) to help you become more familiar with your plant and animal neighbors.
Suggested age 14 and up. Those under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. Mature, younger students are welcome at the recommendation of their guardians.
The exact location for this event will be sent to you in an email. It will be about 40 minutes north of the Twin Cities.
Accessibility: this event will be held on and off trail and may require bushwhacking, walking over uneven ground, logs and other obstacles. Total distance traveled will be about 2 miles.
Sliding scale $70 - $90.
For more details, please email info@fourseasonforaging.com or call 612-440-5958.
About the Instructors
Maria Wesserle is a forager and certified wildlife tracker. Her business, Four Season Foraging, is devoted to creating a space where people can learn to interact with urban and rural wild places in meaningful and sustainable ways.Kirsten Welge is a certified wildlife tracker and nature & forest therapy guide. Through her business, Natural Awareness LLC, she supports folks in engaging their senses, connecting to nature within and around us, and creating community around the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.
Registration
Space is limited to better encourage participatory learning. Please register before Friday, September 20th, 1 pm. - Wild & Wonderful: A Fall Foraging RetreatARC Retreat Community, Stanchfield, MN$160.00
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Join Maria Wesserle of Four Season Foraging and Jaime Rockney of Chick of the Woods for a day of foraging fun! Learn all about edible fall goodies in the woods! The morning will be focused on all things plants. Maria will teach us about plants, berries, and nuts that are in season followed by a walk in the woods finding, identifying, harvesting, and even tasting some forest delicacies. A home-style lunch will follow and will be included with your ticket. The afternoon will be mushroom-centric with a presentation by Chick of the Woods on common edible fall mushrooms, followed by a walk in the woods searching for, talking about, and picking the mushrooms we find.ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Maria Wesserle is a forager and certified wildlife tracker. Her business, Four Season Foraging, is devoted to creating a space where people can learn to interact with urban and rural wild places in meaningful and sustainable ways.Jaime Rockney, also known as Chick of the Woods, loves nothing more than sharing her passion of the forest and fungi with others. In doing so, she hopes they will gain appreciation for the fascinating world within the forest. She has been obsessed with foraging since 2008, started Chick of the Woods Foraging, LLC in 2019, and quit her day job in 2022 to educate about foraging full time. She is a member of the Minnesota Mycological Society, Wisconsin Mycological Society, the North American Mycological Association, and has three certifications for identification of and selling mushrooms.
REGISTRATION
Register on the Chick of the Woods website by Tuesday, September 9th. If you are reading this after September 9th, please contact us to see if space is still available. Class will be canceled if minimum registration is not met.Class will happen rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, the class will be held completely indoors.
Cost is $160.
Suggested age 14 and up. You must be 18 to register. People age 17 and under are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult; that adult should register on their behalf. Minors pay the same price as adults.
- Annual Raptor ReleaseCarpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Hastings, MN
Join The Raptor Center and Carpenter Nature Center as we celebrate our annual Raptor Release!
What: Raptor Release, a free family event.
When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 @ 11 am - 2 pm.
Where: Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033.This free family event is a way for our community to share in the success of returning magnificent raptors back to the wild. Whether they suffered from a broken wing, lead poisoning, disease, or any other number of ailments, these raptors have been given second chances at life due to the caring efforts of many.
Enjoy family-friendly activities, a variety of educational booths from local organizations, live ambassador raptors from The Raptor Center, and food truck refreshments for purchase. Programs begin at noon with releases of raptors to follow. Please leave pets at home.
facebook event link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1820644978875778website:
https://raptor.umn.edu/
