Join PVAS naturalists on a fall foraging adventure to learn all about the natural history of pawpaws and other edible plants!

PVAS Host: Laurel Schwartz

$10/person (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and limited to 12 participants.

PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible

Join PVAS naturalists on a fall foraging adventure to learn all about the natural history of pawpaws and other edible plants. Participants will enjoy a special treat and get the chance to take home some pawpaws to try out their own recipes!

• Walking Distance: Less than 1 mile
• Pace: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)
• Exposure: Forested/dense canopy cover
• Terrain: Hard ground/hiking trail – some grass/brush/off-trail
• Restroom: There are 2 composting toilets at Yankauer near the meeting location.
• Parking/Where to Meet: Yankauer Nature Preserve has about 20 parking spaces. The group will assemble at the pavilion.
• What to Bring: Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water! Please also bring containers for foraging, such as baskets, buckets, and jars.

Register Here!

About Laurel:

Laurel Schwartz is our Watershed Program Coordinator and has been working in this role with PVAS since September 2021. She serves as Site Director at Yankauer for Summer Camp.

Laurel is a lifelong Jefferson County resident and Shepherd University graduate.  She graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Sustainable Resource Management. During the summers between the school year, she worked as a seasonal Park Ranger for both the National Park Service, at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and the Army Corps of Engineers, at Loyalhanna Lake Recreation Area. After graduation, Laurel served an AmeriCorps year (2019-2020) with us as an Environmental Educator.  Through this role, she fell in love with youth education and nature interpretation. After her AmeriCorps year, Laurel worked for Virginia Tech as a Soil Science Research Associate and a Jefferson County Substitute Teacher.

In her free time, Laurel can be found hiking, spending time with her dogs, relaxing in a hammock, or in the kitchen trying out new recipes.