The ocean is an elemental body that connects continents and people throughout the world; we realize more of our interconnectedness when we step into the ocean and sense how the same water that is touching us has also touched far-away lands and far-away people. The ocean is the source and origin of life, yet a place that holds many mysteries for us land dwellers. Seaweeds link us back to these origins, connect us to other places in the world, and open the doorway to this underwater world that is so familiar and yet so unknown.

Seaweeds are amazing, unique food sources, unlike any of the land plants that we know. They offer us an exceptional palette of flavors and nutrients, and, what's more, they can even offer us inspiration for new ways of inhabiting our lives. Seaweeds have evolved—through several clever mechanisms—to embody the seemingly contradictory traits of being both strong and flexible simultaneously as they must maintain integrity while being moved by the waves and the tides.

The Seaweed Field Excursion is a unique opportunity to deepen your connection to the ocean and its amazing, healing macroalgae in the field. This 3-hour adventure will cover:

types of local seaweeds

harvesting and drying techniques

tides and times of year for harvesting seaweed varieties

sustainable harvesting practices

healing properties

micronutrients

iodine and thyroid health

external uses of seaweeds

pollution issues

Participants will have the opportunity to make seaweed artwork and get to take home a jar of kelp pickles that we make in class!

One lucky participant will take home a Mermaid Botanicals bullwhip kelp t-shirt in our raffle.

Note: Students may be able to harvest seaweeds in this class depending on water and seaweed quality closer to class date.

Register through Island Rec starting May 1.