The WildCraft Forest is an Ecomuseum, which includes an interpretive forest with about 4km of trails, which emanate from the Heritage Arts and Craft Village located on Highway 6.
Visitors can walk the trails of the forest within guided and self-guided tours, which can take about two hours at a leisurely stroll. The interpretation mixes art forms displayed along the trail system with descriptions of the natural flora, fauna and wildlife habitat. Descriptions of food and medicinal uses from the forest as well as the historical presence of First Nations and pioneer settlement are displayed along the trail system.
Within the WildCraft Forest is the Whole Earth Discovery Centre. Located near the center of the forest on three acres, the center operates various educational tours, programs and demonstrations as well as research projects that explore sustainability and stewardship within natural eco-systems. The center also operates a campground, which includes RV Parking and a Tipi Village Hostel for visitors and groups to spend time exploring and working in the WildCraft Forest.
The Wildcraft Forest celebrates and keeps a historical record of the counter-culture lifestyle experienced within the back-to-the-land movement in British Columbia throughout the 1960's, 70's and early 1980's. By using outdoor displays, events and demonstrations visitors can explore this unique period in British Columbia history.
ABOUT THE WILDCRAFT FOREST
The WildCraft Forest is an Ecomuseum surrounded by hundreds of acres of managed forest and natural and pristine habitat. The forest has within it the original hamlet of Reiswig, which was an overnight rest stop for travelers on their way to the gold placer claims on Cherry Creek.
The WildCraft Forest is a mature mixed forest that has been carefully managed within stewardship principles. It represents an excellent example of a series of Riparian Zones including where a mixed forest meets a grassland area and an interior rainforest.
Within the forest are mature Ponderosa Pines and Fir with a mix of meadows and Birch filled ravines. The forest is filled with plants that provide fruit and other material that is used for wildcrafting foods and other products in the studios at the WildCraft Forest.
The forest overlooks the mountain called Coyote Sleeping (The Camels Hump) one of the most unique geological formations in British Columbia and the beautiful Blue Springs Valley home to an ancient submerged lake.
The WildCraft Forest is an example of the historical interaction with the land between First Nations and then pioneer loggers and farmers, and finally modern day stewardship.
The WildCraft Forest is an Ecomuseum and interpretive forest, which includes a Sculpture Trail. We're located on Highway 6 in the Monashee Region of British Columbia just on the edge of the North Okanagan, one hour from Kelowna and 30 minutes from Vernon.
For guided tours call us at 250-547-9812
