Foraging & Nature connection Course 2026

Starting 28 of March till 11 of June in Amsterdam - Westerpark
dates: 28 of March, 11 & 25 of April - 9 & 30 May - 11 of June 2026

Would you like to learn more about Foraging & Herbal Medicine? And dive deeper into nature connection right here in the city?
(Amsterdam)

Would you like to learn to identify and feel comfortable picking your own wild food & medicine?

In this 3 months Foraging & Nature Connection course I’ll take you on 6 expeditions of 2 hours, where we gather in a group of max 10 people and explore the local ecology, learn how to forage ethically, identify edible, medicinal and poisonous plants. An important part of foraging is nature connection, mostly through sense perception. In this course we will start every gathering with an observation exercise inspired by spiritual ecology or permaculture principles. I will offer a diverse set of practices and knowledge on plants that you can easily incorporate into your diet, medicine cabinet or daily activities. This course takes place in Westerpark - Amsterdam and one or two sessions will take place in a forest close to the city.

The basis of Nature connection is: slowing down - becoming silent - opening the senses towards the ecology of beings surrounding us - share our findings and subtle shifts in awareness.

Some questions asked:
How do i incorporate this into my daily practices?
In this course you’ll get knowledge about edible plants and tools and practices of nature connection that you can also use after the course is finished

What practices can we expect?
To cure plant blindness we gather natural elements that can be taken home to draw, used for an observation exercise, made into medicine, cooked as food, etc.

My background:
The studies of Biology and Nature Management, Bio- dynamic farming & permaculture lead me into herbal medicine and foraging. For the past three years i have been sharing herbal medicine and foraging classes in Amsterdam.
Through my studies I came into contact with both the vulnerability but also the resilience of natural ecosystems. It became my mission to share the methods & experiences of Earth Care.

Some Practicalities:
What to bring:
Good shoes, tea and cup, some bags, a notebook and pen & possibly rain gear.

When will we start:
This course runs from 28 of March and runs un-till 11 of June 2026

What will you learn:
You will learn how to forage, how to identify some common edible or medicinal plants, nature connection practices and tools to connect deeper to your local ecology.

We will also reflect on what we harvested in the last gathering; What did we learn? How did we incorporate this? What did we make? (medicine - drawing - experiment)

Where do we meet:
The first 3 sessions will start at the Bee-palace in Westerpark
This is near the Gashouder and opposite from the Kinderboerderij. From here we will explore different parts of the park.
We will gather at the bee-palace opposite the Kinderboerderij in Westerpark

Starting point Overbrakerpad 10, 1014 AZ Amsterdam, Amsterdam
How to get there From restaurant Rainarai (on the corner of Haarlemmerweg & westerpark) you walk to the Farm westerpark (Overbrakerpad 10) opposite you will see the Bee Palace, we will meet there.

Time & Dates: Starting 28 of March till 11 of June in Amsterdam - Westerpark
dates: 28 of March, 11 & 25 of April - 9 & 30 May - 11 of June 2026
We will start at 14:00 and finish at 16:00 o’clock

What are the cost:
€422,- excl VAT, for 6 gatherings of 2 hours per gathering

As we explore layers of the plant world it could be helpful to read and study some more plant specifics, for example on their medicinal properties. For this I recommend this (Dutch) book: On wild edible plants To familiarise yourself and build confidence into your nature connection and foraging it is important to know your local poisonous plants. So my advise is to study them and make sure you can distinguish them from their edible relatives. More details on Wibnet

More info
Check out possible future events on Instagram

For an introduction to Foraging please visit Buiten Gasten.nl

Do you have any questions? You can contact me:
rensspanjaard@gmail.com

Workhops and other teachings

rensspanjaard@gmail.com

Foraging & Nature connection Course 2026

Becoming more intimate with the place where you find your feet, means, getting outside every day. Paying attention to the plants around you.