A rich and in-depth 6-month training dedicated to wild harvesting
From May to October 2026, move with the rhythm of the seasons. Take the time to understand, observe, integrate, and experience the forest.
A complete season to reconnect with your territory and transform the way you inhabit it. Because harvesting with consciousness develops autonomy and the connection we maintain with the living. Because these ancient gestures make us more responsible, more attentive, more present.
The most in-depth wild harvesting training in Canada!
Harvesting, is so much more than a basket filled with wild plants and mushrooms: it is a way of connecting with your environment.
A Season in the Forest is a 6-month online training including webinars, Q&A sessions, conferences, and a community to exchange with.
It is a complete and profound training in which we share our most precious learnings from the last 35 years, allowing you to dive into the heart of the forest.
Testimonials
What Participants Are Saying
A complete, in-depth and flexible training accessible for life from a private platform. Follow the teachings at your own pace. Revisit the content as often as you like.
“The training was beyond our expectations, we would recommend it without hesitation to anyone who wants to change the way they see the forest…. It’s so rewarding to recognize what’s around us and to know how to use it. Each outing becomes an enriching experience.“
– Sylvie L., former participant
Identify and Harvest Wild Plants
Identify and confidently pick dozens of wild plants already growing around you. Gradually, your perspective will change. What you walked through without seeing will become familiar. You will discover a simple and local way to nourish yourself using nutritious resources present in your territory.
Cook and Preserve Your Harvests
In the kitchen, your harvests become a matter of creativity. Not to impress. To nourish differently. You will learn to transform what you harvest so you can preserve and savor it for months, using accessible methods that extend the taste of the seasons.
Understand the Territory and Its Cycles
Develop a more precise understanding of your environment. Recognize useful plants, understand their cycles, and observe signs of life. Over outings, something sets in: a concrete autonomy and the sensation of fully inhabiting the territory around you.
“The training is inspiring, motivating, full of super interesting content, the presenters are passionate and it gets across. Thetrainers and speakers know their stuff. The training brought me even more love, respect, and gratitude for nature. I highly recommend it!”
Anick P.
“I’m telling everyone about it!It’s a fascinating world at our feet, and Ariane and Gérald are stimulating, curious, humble, and respectful guides. They areperfect communicators because they are authentic. You want to become their friends.Warmest thanks!”
Julie S.
“The training is a very beautiful gift to give oneself. The knowledge shared on edible plants is exceptional,
the guest speakers add a holistic touch to the content, and the experience and complicity of the trainers is beautiful to see.”
Annie B.
You will never see
the forest in the same way again!
There are seasons when something calls for doing differently.
Slow down enough to truly see what grows around you, listen closely to hear nature’s story.
Learn what you have long sensed and carried without knowing.
Perhaps you finally want to
learn a forgotten language.
With respect, intention and at your own pace.
The forest is not merely
a place to walk in.
It’s a territory to understand,
a knowledge to receive and transmit,
a relationship to gently nurture.
And sometimes, a single season is enough to transform our connection to the living.
A Season That Changes Everything
A season to develop quiet confidence, real autonomy, and perhaps, one day, pass it on yourself.
After more than 35 years in the forest, we are still students in learning.
This training is not intended to make you an expert in wild harvesting, but rather to provide you with solid foundations and a framework so you can dive into the world of harvesting with confidence, and above all, keep progressing your learning throughout your life!
We offer you tools, techniques, references, and valuable lessons that will allow you to recognize with certainty, harvest with respect, transform simply and continue to explore with curiosity for many years to come.
This is a dense but lifetime-accessible training that you can follow at your rhythm, according to your level and the time you wish to devote to it.
We have seen how many of you are hungry for these forgotten knowledge, and how important it is, more than ever, to share knowledge that allows us to establish a deeper connection with our environment.
This precious act of hand-picking to bring healthy, fresh, local foods to the mouth is part of our DNA. We believe that we should all experience greater intimacy with the wild world.
For us, harvesting is a family affair! It’s what binds us, animates our discussions, and makes us happy at the table.
Since we published FORÊT and Gather the Forest, best-selling books on harvesting and cooking wild plants in Canada, we have connected with thousands of nature lovers who share our attachment to the territory.
“We want to take you into the forest with us by offering you a complete online training, accessible for life, allowing you to venture into harvesting with full confidence!” – Ariane
A SEASON IN THE FOREST IS…
A 6-month in-depth training over the seasons, from May to October
Every month: a 2-hour webinar on harvesting plants (pre-recorded), lectures with specialists, and a live Q&A session with Ariane
Lots of extras: additional audio, video, and written content to deepen your knowledge
Over 100 hours of online content available on a private platform, downloadable and accessible for life. View at your own pace, at any time
Rich exchanges: a private online community of gatherers with whom to share your discoveries and questions at any time
The possibility to go further: personalized support by email throughout the season with Ariane
Who will be leading the training?
In honor of Gérald (1950-2024), his love of the forest and the impact he had on the trajectory of many lives, Gourmet Sauvage makes his teachings available. The webinars with Gérald and Ariane are pre-recorded and the Q&A sessions with Ariane are live.
Ariane Paré-Le Gal
Ariane worked for over 10 years as a host, columnist, and researcher specializing in the environment on television and radio. In 2015, she left Montréal to take over Gourmet Sauvage, the company founded by her father, in which she was immersed throughout her childhood.
She is the co-author of the books Forêt: Identify, Gather, Cook and Gather the Forest published by Éditions Cardinal and devotes a large part of her time to creating content to share her father’s legacy.
Gérald Le Gal
Teacher, economic development agent, commercial fisherman, speaker, and co-host with his daughter Ariane of the show Coureurs des bois broadcast on Télé-Québec, Gérald Le Gal had a thousand professions in Canada and abroad.
In 1994, he founded Gourmet Sauvage, a pioneering company in the field of wild plant harvesting and forest education. In recent years, Gérald dedicated as much time as possible to his true passion: teaching (and fishing)!
Gérald left us in January 2024, leaving behind a rich legacy of knowledge that he generously shared throughout his life.
“We are taking you into the forest with us, guess what adventures await you around the trail bend”
The Conferences
Every month, you will receive insights from specialists to broaden your skillset and explore different aspects of wild harvesting, from mixology to ancestral herbalism, permaculture, fermentation, and small-scale forestry! Here are some of the guests!
SPECIAL GUEST
François-Emmanuel Nicol is the chef-owner of the gastronomic restaurant La Tanière³, located in Old Quebec.
Originally from Gaspé, he trained at the ITHQ and honed his craft in several major kitchens internationally.
His cuisine, deeply rooted in the Canadian wild terroir, highlights forest and marine products.
La Tanière³ has established itself as one of the most remarkable tables in Canada, ranking 5th among the best restaurants in North America, and winning two Michelin stars in 2025.
François-Emmanuel will share his approach surrounding harvesting, techniques for exploring lesser-known ingredients, and menu development to inspire your own wild cuisine.
François Couplan, forager and ethnobotanist
50 years of harvesting: wild plants uses around the world
GABRIEL GOUVEIA-FORTIN, Lasclay
Silk of America: the economic and ecological potential of milkweed
MAUDE LEMIRE-COMEAU, Truffles Quebec
Local truffles: harvesting and cultivating an exceptional product
ALEXANDRA COLLIN, artist and forager
Nature’s colors: wild plants, dyes, and pigments
JULIEN DROUIN-BOUFFARD, Northern Teas
Harvesting and fermenting wild plants for northern teas
VINCENT LEBLANC, Violin and Mushrooms
Introduction to mushroom cultivation in the garden and forest
CLAUDIA DOYON, mixologist and forager
From earth to cocktail: the art of drinking our territory
WEN ROLLAND, permaculturist
Permaculture and wild harvesting: the nurturing forest explained
GILLES SÉGUIN, forestry technician and storyteller
Sustainable forest management: caring for trees like humans
This training is for you if
- You’re interested in harvesting but feel intimidated: our approach is playful, simple, and always enjoyable!
- You harvest a few species but wish to expand your knowledge; we will discuss several dozen edible plants and mushrooms from all Canadian regions.
- You are an experienced forager looking to explore new avenues; a forager never stops learning from peers! Tips, recipes, processing, calendars, etc., we promise you won’t be left wanting!
- You want to explore a new way of cooking; wild harvesting is a fabulous creative engine!
- You live in the city or in the countryside; wild plants are everywhere around us, in your backyard or in the forest!
- You wish to forge a new connection with your environment; harvesting creates meaning and connects you to life.
- You want to step out of your comfort zone; experience a unique learning journey in the forest.
What Participants Are Saying
In Video
TRAINING PRESENTATION
In this video, we present the training and the context in which it takes place. You will discover the course objective, the logic of the modules, and how the learnings will be built throughout outings and exercises.
This introduction allows you to understand the approach, expectations, and the role observation of the territory will play in your learning. 🌿
THE FIRST HARVEST OF THE SEASON!
Here’s a glimpse of the type of content that will be published throughout the season on the training platform, in addition to webinars, Q&A sessions, and conferences.
We talk here about the tradition surrounding birch sap harvesting, its benefits, and its uses.
TRAINING FAQ
- How much content is offered?
- How much time should be devoted to the training?
- Is this training for beginners or seasoned foragers?
- Can I take the training even if I live in the city?
- Does the training offer field-based learning? Etc.
Join the new cohort of A Season in the Forest 2026, a training on the exceptional treasures held by the forest.
The Hiker
525$ 472$
Get started with foraging and cooking with wild plants
Pay in 4 installments with 
Access to the content for 1 year
- 6 pre-recorded webinars with Gérald and Ariane
- Live Q&R meet-ups with Ariane each month
- Spontaneous audio, video, and written content
- Monthly talks
- Access to the private community
The Woods Runner
575$ 517$
Get started with foraging and cooking with wild plants
Pay in 4 installments with
Lifetime access to the content
- 6 pre-recorded webinars with Gérald and Ariane
- Live Q&R meet-ups with Ariane each month
- Spontaneous audio, video, and written content
- Monthly talks
- Access to the private community
- Special 2-hour webinar: Introduction to mushroom foraging
The Great Adventure
675$
Exclusive package, limited to just a few participants!
Pay in 4 installments with
Lifetime access to the content
- 6 pre-recorded webinars with Gérald and Ariane
- Live Q&R meet-ups with Ariane each month
- Spontaneous audio, video, and written content
- Monthly talks
- Access to the private community
- Special 2-hour webinar: Introduction to mushroom foraging
- Private, personalized email support with Ariane to help you progress faster in your practice
Special Offers for Groups
Get 15% to 25% off for groups of 3 or more (educational institutions, NGOs, private companies, groups of friends, etc.)
- Contribute to the continued training of your teams of educators and teachers!
- Thank your employees by offering them a transformative adventure!
- Experience this unique opportunity with friends or family!
Your Feedback
Let us know what you thought of the training
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Une saison en forêt 2025, forfait Coureur des bois
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1-3 of 5 reviews
Cette formation a créé un réel tournant dans ma vie.
Non seulement elle a amélioré ma vie de cueilleur mais elle m’a également appris à être davantage respectueux et connecté au vivant.
Je pourrais parler au présent parce que ça continue pour moi. J’en serai à ma 3e saison de formation cette année. J’y apprends encore énormément, autant au niveau de la cueillette, que de la transformation des plantes que de la connaissance des bienfaits sur la santé. Et les échanges avec la cohorte sur FB sont très riches.
Je la recommande chaudement à tous, peu importe dans quelle région du Québec vous vivez. Et le fait que ce soit sur internet n’est absolument pas un obstacle.
Une formation d’une valeur inestimable pour réapprendre à vivre et cueillir la forêt !
J’ai tout adoré de cette formation: les vidéos de cueillette, les recettes, les conférences en direct, etc. J’y ai découvert plein d’excellents produits de notre terroir grâce aux invités qui viennent nous présenter leurs produits locaux. Ariane répond chaque mois à toutes nos questions avec beaucoup de patience et de générosité. On sent la passion et le respect de la nature tout au long de cette formation qui est un grand cadeau à s’offrir. Je recommande sans hésiter!