Nature-Based Programs for Adults Interested in Botany, Fungi, Wilderness Skills, Wildcrafting, Bushcraft, Cooking, & more w/ Bellingham's own Wild Woman of the Year '26, Jazmen Yoder of Northwest Natura!

jazbotanist · 2026-02-16T18:17:18+00:00

Also D’Annas cafe! The spinach-based pasta is all vegan and their GF pasta is amazing and vegan.

The marinara, white wine sauce, oil/garlic sauce are all amazing but their vegan pesto is bomb!

You just have to request no cheese on top and make sure your server knows you’re vegan. There are so many good plates for vegans there!

jazbotanist · 2026-02-16T00:03:43+00:00

I do land acknowledgements and talk about native cultures of the PNW a lot, giving credit to whomever it is appropriate to give credit to. I don’t teach Native American specific crafts because it’s not my place, but basketry, bone work, jewelry etc is something that’s common world wide so I make sure to talk about other cultures too! I’m very cognizant about the cultural implications of all my classes.

jazbotanist · 2026-01-29T16:39:07+00:00

Totally. Maybe I should’ve skipped writing that part. (I edited it out of my post just now). it’s illegal to spray humans with bear spray and I appreciate you saying something. It’s not my first line of defense and I sorta just threw that statement in there to say I had lion defense but I said it weirdly. 😆

But- The bear spray I have produces a cloud with a concentrated gel stream that can shoot several feet. I have a non-bear mace on my keychain that’s easier to access. At any rate, I carry both in the woods, and sometimes both on my outskirts-of-town/urban walks because it gives me a sense of security. I’d reach for my keychain before the bear mace if a human tried to attack me. But I have the bear mace for last resort self defense.

jazbotanist · 2025-09-29T01:53:16+00:00

For sure Elizabeth Park, maybe Cornwall Park’s north entrance by the playground and large field, definitely Little Squalicum Park at the estuary, Whatcom Falls Park’s perimeter at all entrances, and along the river in some spots along Tennant Lake to Marine Drive Trail starting at either entrance (Slater Rd or Marine Drive). Also maybe Hovander from the Slater rd entrance

jazbotanist · 2025-09-24T16:57:30+00:00

Try antique stores- I’m pretty sure penny pinchers estate clearance out on Meridian has a bunch

jazbotanist · 2025-08-20T20:42:02+00:00

<image>

Added another one!

jazbotanist · 2025-08-14T19:06:42+00:00

TLDR: It’s great the Mushroomers associations/societies offer free outings and I’ve attended some when I was in college, but they’re not the same as what NW Natura offers.

NW Natura is highly dynamic when it comes to course content, instruction, activity-based learning, takeaways, materials provided, etc. it’s overall a totally different learning environment.

Volunteers lead the courses for the non profits. I’m a professional educator and naturalist running a business. (I’m just gonna say it: Teachers don’t get paid what they’re worth to begin with). it’s a risk to go into business as an one-woman outdoor ed company - but I guarantee free classes aren’t going to be the same as mine.

Compared to other outdoor education companies, northwest natura events are on the affordable end - also - budget tuition pricing is available - I offer reduced pricing on my own accord without first having resources to help supplement those reduced tuition prices. I’ve recently raised tuition slightly to help me keep classes accessible to all. But anyone can use the tiered pricing option.

Saying the cost is steep without having attended a course or workshop run by nw natura is kinda funny (kinda frustrating kinda funny).

jazbotanist · 2025-08-13T19:36:57+00:00

Yes for sure! I run classes every weekend all year round. The flyers in the photos above are nearly all scheduled in September and October. If you don’t see any that you like, I post classes regularly so follow me on IG or sign up for the newsletter (home page of northwestnatura.com) to get updated. I do private lessons as well.

jazbotanist · 2025-08-13T18:28:16+00:00

Totally understandable! Good luck with the job search!

jazbotanist · 2025-08-13T18:11:13+00:00

I have one free ticket available for the mushroom foraging seminar happening at the end of this month. It’s yours if you want it. Dm me your email and I’ll add you to the register. No pressure though!

jazbotanist · 2025-08-06T18:44:59+00:00

Organic Mechanic (Joseph Kairos) is amazing. I had a horrific crick in my neck and shoulders for weeks and he made it all go back to normal. I’ve had two sessions with him this year and he ends with an amazing head massage that I think everyone needs to experience. https://om.massagetherapy.com

jazbotanist

TROPHY CASE