CANASTOTA — The public is invited to the Great Swamp Conservancy (GSC) of Canastota for a wild edible and medicinal plant walk and wild plant tasting program with guest speaker Heather Houskeeper on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Known as “The Botanical Hiker,” Houskeeper has hiked the Appalachian Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Finger Lakes Trail, and Mid State Trail, researching the plants and forging along the way. She is an author, wild food columnist for Dirt Magazine, herbalist, and lover of all things wild.

Join her for a guided plant walk on the GSC grounds for this hands-on program that teaches how to identify nutritious and medicinal plants and how to harvest and prepare them for food and home remedies. Houskeeper will guide the group in harvesting some plants, which can then be brought back to the kitchen to prepare and sample. If you have ever wondered what edible plants you pass when you are out for a walk in the woods or what hidden herbal medicines may lay hidden in your backyard, then this presentation is for you.

Event organizers say the walk will be easy in nature with no tools required. Children are welcome.

Cost is $8 per person, $2 per child.

For more info contact the GSC office by phone or email, 315-697-2950, greatswampconservancy@gmail.com. The GSC is located at 8375 N. Main St.