Foraging Walk 2Feb25 -West Canyon Ave, Serra Mesa

Trail Walk with Mary & Paul

Let’s meet in the center courtyard of the four Phoenix University buildings at 9645 Granite Ridge Road. The giant pink silk floss trees aren’t blooming this time of year, but they are laden with large, cotton candy-like pods full of seeds, and their thick, thorny bark looks like something out of Jurassic Park!

We’ll cross West Canyon Ave and explore a landscape rich with baccharis, native sages, yerba santa, toyon, oaks, and dozens of native and non-native plants. Along the way, we’ll discuss their modern and historical uses as food and medicine.

This pleasant 1.4-mile out-and-back walk follows a gently sloping trail, making it a great option for kids, strollers, and dogs.

Directions:
• From I-15, take Aero Drive west for about three traffic lights.
• Turn left onto West Canyon Ave.
• Then, turn left again onto Granite Ridge Rd.
• Park in the lot on right and walk to the center courtyard of the four buildings, where we’ll meet.

Safety Notes:
• Please pay close attention to instructions.
• Never ingest or touch plants unless you are absolutely sure of their safety.
• Event organizers cannot be responsible for individual actions regarding plant handling.
• This meetup is for plant identification and education on traditional uses by native populations.
• While we discuss plants as food and medicine, we do not encourage picking or eating plants during the walk—take notes and continue learning at home!