Discover Edible Plants and Trees of Southern Ontario... One Hour West of Toronto

Dec. 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Many people hike the forests of Southern Ontario, but have no idea of what is there. In the Grand River Valley there is a beginner’s “hiking classroom” that teaches identification of trees and edible plants. These guided hikes are 2-4 hours, using the Carolinian Forests as the classroom.

During the hike, the guides teach as they come across different plants and trees. On each plant they talk about how to identify, edible or medicinal values and other uses. Learning from these guides is very hands-on, with tasting, smelling and feeling included.  

After a plant species is taught, the teaching guide will randomly stop and do “I spy”, to see if the group can spot a learned specimen. Or do stops at a “learned” species to see if the group can deduce what it is. This technique of learning is the best way to remember. Along with the human senses; fun stories, peculiar names and quirks are also used as memory pegs to learn the plants by.

Most hikes cover about 30-50 different species of plants and trees. The trails will cross through a number of different ecosystems, allowing people to learn what plants are found where. The plants to be tasted are samples, brought from outside the hiking area, so that the populations along the trails are preserved.

The trails used for the hiking classroom vary with the time window desired. The trails can be on flat terrain or picturesque rolling steep terrain. The trails are well laid out with good footing. The lengths of the hikes are normally 3 to 5 kilometers. When learning, the distance hiked is minimal... and the teaching experience maximal!

The Grand River Valley is home to the largest array of plants, trees and wildlife in Ontario. Its central location in Southern Ontario... makes it a 60-90 minute drive from most major cities. It is located half ways between Toronto and London, near the “Prettiest Town in Ontario”... Paris.

Most hikes cover about 30-50 different species of plants and trees. The trails will cross through a number of different ecosystems, allowing people to learn what plants are found where. The plants to be tasted are samples, brought in from outside the hiking area, so that the populations along the trails are preserved. The lengths of the hikes are normally 3 to 5 kilometers.

The teaching guides are foresters, biologists and outdoors men with 10-20 years of outdoor experience. The knowledge level of these guides allows them to walk into any plant ecosystem and make it an instant learning experience.

Presently two learning adventure companies in the Grand Valley offer hikes on trees and edible plants. One is called the “Grand River Rafting Company” near Paris, Ontario and their link is http://www.grandriverrafting.ca/ontario-edible-plant-hike... , the other is called “Treks in the Wild” located in Brantford Ontario and their link is http://www.treksinthewild.com/wildernessskills.htm .

The Grand River Valley is an amazing place to learn about the ‘Lost World" of edible plants and trees. It is close to most cities in Southern Ontario. It offers an amazing variety of flora and fauna. It is a learning adventure for all ages. A unique year-round adventure to discover.

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Offering guided-instructional wilderness learning adventures for families & corporate groups. Rafting, canoeing, kayaking and fishing trips on Southern Ontario's Grand River, just one hour west of Toronto, 10 mins. off the 403 Hwy near Paris, Ontario.