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Field Notes from Jess ~ Rewilding in 2022 | Week 15/52 | Spring

clamming community oyster harvest rewilding wild foraging Apr 10, 2022
Shellfish Feast & Forage
Field Notes from Jess: Rewilding 2022 Week 15/52
 
Shellfish Forage & Feast
 
One of the highlights on the yearly Rewilding calendar is heading west to harvest oysters off the beach and forage for manila clams in the sand. This was the second year that Wildkind Academy has partnered with Human Nature Hunting School to bring community together for this experience. Twenty people arrived from all over to have a unique experience.
Brittney L Hamilton with Operation Ward 57 made sure that there was an opportunity for Veterans as well as caregivers of those wounded in battle to attend. I was moved to hear their stories and make connection with such wonderful humans who give so much. There were smiles and laughter as we ate raw oysters and sipped spiked mulled cider.
In a complicated world, the simplicity of being in nature and receiving the gifts of nourishment while being surrounded with loving humans is at the top of my experiential list of good times.
I met new friends including Jay Vaz and Jeff Perullo who flew over from Massachusetts with their big East Coast personalities and kind-hearted nature.... So much laughter!
Instructor @brucemcglenn led us through harvesting practices while Chef Marcus brought the magic with a feast that no doubt thrilled the group. Not only did he make specialty sauces for our oysters but he used our manila clams to create a gourmet spread that we enjoyed by the fire.
The night was made complete with live music from the very talented Angie Ward and Mark Medalen.
Jason, who's YouTube channel is "Vaz Survival" picked up a few songs that everyone was singing to as the sun went down.
One of our guests made the following comment, "In a time when good food and the cost of living feels so high and everyone is concerned about the food supply chain, I am amazed to come out here in my own backyard and witness how much wild food is here to be received."
This is truly what abundance feels like. It comes in many forms but it is there for us to embrace. Hug people, listen to their stories, adventure into the wild and explore the integral relationship we have to nature.