Context
"When I started to become aware of the richness of the plants to feed and cure us - although I am aware of the complexity of using plants for medicinal purposes - it became clear to me that people want to know of this ancestral knowledge. It was our right as a species to be able to feed ourselves and care for ourselves - and I needed to share what I had learned with the greatest number. "
Monica Blackhall, founder of Edible Nature.
Project
"Edible Nature" is an organization based in Villeneuve-Lès-Maguelones which is on the outskirts of Montpellier. For the past two years, this small business led by Monica Blackhall has been interested in wild edible plants and herbal medicine.
"Edible Nature" has set itself the goal of bringing people back to nature to make them aware of its wealth. Workshops and outings are organized on weekends around wild plants. Workshops around picking and wild cooking are also offered.
Thanks to the location of "Edible Nature", located on the outskirts of Montpellier, the many people who want to reconnect with nature have the opportunity to go out and about in an innovative approach to discover the many possibilities that edible wild plants offer: food, care, knowledge of the territory and the seasonality of plants.
Results
More and more people regularly participate in the workshops offered since September 2018. Following these outdoor workshops peopleare beginning to gather and use wild plants.
Project leader
Monica Blackhall works alone in her business. She defines herself as a "nature facilitator". She was a reflexologist before taking an interest in plants following a process of autonomy. She has been studying herbal sciences for 5 years as part of a professional training course and has followed several courses on wild cooking and botanics. Monica's wish is to convey her passion around plant recognition, the use of medicinal and edible plants and autonomy.
The Little Extra
Outdoor workshops are in groups of 15 to 20 people - upon reservation. The price of the workshop is fixed at 10 € for 2h30 of walk with a tasting of plants at the end. It's free for children under 16 years old. Monica is attentive to the requests of her clients and adapts to the suggestions given to be closer to the expectations of the participants.
Written by Morgane Aubert, LFC volunteer - November 2018.
Last modification : 29 Mar 2020.
Nature Comestible
"Nature Comestible" (Edible Nature) is an NGO organizing hikes and courses dedicated to wild edible and medicinal plants, herbalism, botany, and traditionnal remedies.