Columbia Shuswap offers workshops on how to identify & consume weeds

Photo: Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society

The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) is hosting online training sessions for those who are interested in identifying and managing invasive plants, or for people looking to harvest the edible portions of garden weeds.

CSISS is partnering with Okanagan College to feature two online training sessions in June to educate people who are interested in more than just pulling weeds. The workshop will instruct you how to identify the invasive species, and how to properly use their edible properties.

"The goal is to prevent spreading of these species, while harvesting their beneficial properties and learning how to properly manage them," says Robyn Hooper, executive director for CSISS. "There will be recipes to share so you can make your own homemade edible invasive treats."

The first workshop will be taking place online on June 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. To register, you can reserve your sport on the CSISS website.

The second online training session is geared toward industry, forestry, Indigenous Peoples, municipal and regional staff, landscapers, gardeners, stewardship groups and other interested individuals. It will focus on invasive plant identification as well, along with prevention and management practices.

"The ID portion of the course this year will focus on the carrot family species – such as Giant Hogweed, Wild Chervil, Wild Parsnip and others," says Hooper. "Plants in this family range from highly edible to fatally poisonous."

This workshop will be taking place on June 30 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and is free to attend. Pre-registration is required, and you can register on the CSISS website.