Edible Plants, Ethnobotany, & Wildflowers

Upcoming Events

  • Sunday, April 19

    Trip Registration Opens: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
    Trip Fee: $35 / $17*

Spring on the sunny, dry side of the Columbia Gorge is amazing, with rainbows of wildflowers in bloom and bountiful spring plants. Learn to identify, as well as taste, some of the edible plants of the eastern part of the Columbia Gorge. Learn about indigenous uses of plants and trees, as well as how to identify some of the poisonous plants you would want to avoid if you’re “wild foraging”!

College Outdoors trips have a Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM) prior to the trip to help you prepare, which takes place at the Sequoia warehouse on the Graduate Campus.

At this meeting you’ll meet the trip leaders and other participants, learn more about the trip activity, location, and schedule, and be given a packing list of everything you need for your trip. The trip leaders and Sequoia staff will then help you find and borrow anything on the packing list that you’d like to borrow. We have high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment, and it’s all free to use for your trip!

If you miss a Pre-Trip Meeting, check your email for important info you missed. 

Sequoia is the College Outdoors warehouse, located on the Graduate Campus. Everything you’ll need is available for free when you come on a College Outdoors Trip. At Sequoia you will find:

  • Clothing needed for your trip, including any relevant outerwear and specialty items needed for the activity. Sizes range from XS - XXL and come in gendered an non-gendered designs. 
  • Gear needed for your trip, such as sleeping bags, backpacks, water bottles, and much much more.
  • Equipment such as tents, cookware, first-aid kits, and boats, which trip leaders will pack for each trip as needed.
  • Gender-neutral bathrooms, which can also be used as changing rooms.
  • Staff available to answer your questions.

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All trip participants and leaders are expected to follow CO policies, which you can see here. This document includes info on healthy practices, water/swimming policies, environmental safety, community standards, and leader responsibilities.