Explore the vibrant plant life of The Mount with the guidance of naturalist and author Vanessa Chakour. This guided walk along the woodland trails will highlight edible, medicinal, and at-risk plants—species who shape the landscape and quietly sustain us. Along the way, participants will be prompted to deepen their connection to place through creative writing prompts, imagining the world from the perspectives of plants as a way to see, understand, and relate to the natural world.
This workshop blends plant knowledge, creative inquiry, and embodied presence. No prior writing or botanical experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to listen to the land. Vanessa will prepare a herbal tea using locally gathered plants for participants to enjoy; if possible, please bring a mug or canteen.
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION:
- This program meets at The Mount’s Ticket Booth and takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Please plan your apparel and footwear accordingly! In the event of extreme weather conditions, such as excessive heat or severe thunderstorms, Plants & Prose will be postponed to a later date. Registrants will be notified by email by 9:00 am the day of the program.
- This trail walk covers a mix of woodchip paths, grassy areas, and mostly level woodland trails with some gentle slopes – perfect for beginning/intermediate hikers. Surfaces may be uneven, and participants are advised to be mindful of exposed roots and natural variations underfoot.
- Your guide may identify edible plants during the program; however, participants are not permitted to eat or sample anything from The Mount’s landscape. All participants assume full responsibility for their own safety and actions, and the guide is not liable for any ingestion or allergic reactions.
- While The Mount is a dog-friendly property, dogs are not permitted in this program.
- Questions? Email: programs@edithwharton.org; or phone: 413-551-5111 x2
Vanessa Chakour is an author, herbalist, naturalist, USA Boxing certified coach, and land steward whose work fosters intimacy with inner and outer wilds. Her multidisciplinary approach blends writing, plant medicine, movement, and ecological restoration, rooted in decades of study and land‑based practice across the Northeastern U.S., Costa Rica, and Scotland. Her books Awakening Artemis and Earthly Bodies reflect this integration, exploring personal and ecological healing through kinship with the more‑than‑human world. She has collaborated with organizations such as Project Coyote and the Jaguar Rescue Center, and her writing has appeared in Orion, Terrain, Psyche/Aeon, Yes! Magazine, Beyond with Jane Ratcliffe, and Psychology Today. With her partner, she co-stewards a 270-acre forest, actively planting native species and rewilding the land after centuries of colonial exploitation. Based in Western Massachusetts, Vanessa recently founded HEX Boxing Club, where boxing is taught as both a healing practice and a disciplined craft, offering amateur and professional skills alongside embodied ecological practice.
