Foraging Plant Walk - EYE OF THE WATER SURVIVAL CAMP

What to Expect

Join us for an unforgettable guided foraging experience led by renowned foraging expert Dr. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen, one of Texas’ most respected educators on edible and useful native plants. This relaxed, hands-on plant walk will introduce you to the incredible abundance of wild foods growing throughout Texas while teaching you how to safely recognize, understand, and appreciate the landscape around you.

Our trails wind through a diverse mix of river bottoms, creeks, woodlands, forests, and open fields, giving participants the opportunity to encounter an impressive variety of edible and useful native plants. Depending on the season, you’ll learn to identify berries, nuts, leafy greens, tubers, fruits, seeds, flowers, and many other wild resources.

Whether you’re interested in survival skills, self-reliance, outdoor recreation, or simply connecting more deeply with nature, this program offers an enjoyable and practical introduction to the world of wild foods.

Our Goal

The aim of this program is to help participants develop confidence in recognizing the edible and useful plants that surround them every day. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation for the natural world and a better understanding of how our ancestors—and modern foragers—find food and useful resources throughout the year. As opportunities arise during the walk, discussions may also include topics such as:
● Primitive survival skills
● Sustainable harvesting practices
● Medicinal plants
● Wild plant preparation
● Historical and cultural uses
● General outdoor self-reliance

Each walk naturally develops based on the plants encountered that day.

Details

What To Bring

Specialized equipment is not required. Comfortable outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather and terrain, along with water to stay hydrated, is all you really need. Any additional gear is entirely optional—bring only what suits your interests, your comfort, and how you’d like to experience the walk. Pack according to your needs and desired activities.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Buy Merriwether’s Foraging Book

(Photos are an example, not all are necessary. Bring what you’re comfortable with.)

Schedule

The pace is intentionally slow, with a modest total distance and built-in pauses, making the experience accessible to most participants with a reasonable level of mobility.

Schedule Overview:
● Arrival & Check-in: Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for check-in

● Start Time: The walk begins promptly after the introduction.

● Field Exploration (~4 hours total): The route includes multiple stops for instruction, discussion, and harvesting.

● Wrap-up: The walk will end back near the parking area. Time for additional foraging and discussion / book signing often continues for those interested.