CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today that registration is now open for the 2025 Nature Wonder Weekend, which will return to North Bend State Park on Sept. 12-14.
Known to many as Wild Foods Weekend, this unique event is the longest running event of its kind in the nation and provides nature lovers and outdoor adventurers a chance to enjoy guided nature hikes and educational workshops focused on foraging, preparing and enjoying wild food.
“Nature Wonder Weekend is one of the most unique traditions in West Virginia and a great example of how we’re helping more people experience the joy of spending time outdoors,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “Whether you’re an experienced forager or just curious about wild foods, this event is a great way to learn something new and become part of a community that truly appreciates the beauty of our state.”
During the event, guests can enjoy foraging walks and workshops led by foraging experts and volunteers, including this year’s keynote speaker, Lisa M. Rose, MPA. Rose is an ethnobotanist, author of “Midwest Foraging” and a public historian exploring ancestral foodways, foraging culture and ecological memory. Her work connects plants and people across continents and centuries, from the oak forests of Michigan and Central Park in New York City to the sacred landscapes of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.
“There is something deeply grounding about gathering food with your own hands from the land beneath your feet,” said Rose. “Fall foraging — especially for acorns — is about memory, culture and reclaiming our connection to place. I’m honored to join the Nature Wonder Weekend to help celebrate and carry forward this vital tradition in the Appalachian landscape.”
Nature Wonder Weekend is sponsored by the National Wild Foods Association, the WVDNR and North Bend State Park and honors the legacy of its founder, Edelene Wood, the longtime president of the National Wild Foods Association, who started the event in 1968. The registration fee is $35 per person and advanced registration is required. Lodging and meal packages are available at an additional cost. To learn more and register, visit WVdnr.gov/nature-wonder-
