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    North Bend State Park hosts 52nd annual Nature Wonder Weekend

    North Bend State Park’s Nature Wonder Weekend—North America’s premier and longest-running wild foods event—will celebrate its 52nd year Sept. 20-22.

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    “Participants this year will learn how to bring their favorite wild edibles into their own backyards,” said Emily Fleming, deputy director for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

    Sycamore at North Bend

    “Also, as in past events, participants will enjoy a weekend of foraging and wild food preparation at its best. has been the longstanding host for wild food enthusiasts, and, as always, experienced foragers will be there to help attendees discover the richness nature provides.”

    Wild-food foragers from across the country attend the Nature Wonder Weekend every year.

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    This year’s theme is “In My Backyard” and the keynote speaker will be Vickie Shufer of Virginia Beach, a naturalist, herbalist, and forager with a master’s degree in therapeutic herbalism.

    Guest speaker David Hawkins, of Mother Earth Foods, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, will provide information about medicinal herb use and identification.

    Events begin Friday evening and conclude Sunday morning. The schedule includes speakers, presentations, and nature walks. Activities include wild edible identification, preparation, and preservation, the Hazel Wood Commemorative Wild Food Cooking Contest, and the Best Wild Cake Contest. The Wild Drink Contest winner is awarded the honorary Maxine Scarbro Friendship Cup.

    The lodge at North Bend State Park includes a dining room, conference facilities, and 29 guest rooms.

    Packages for traditional Appalachian-style meals are available at North Bend Lodge restaurant. Overnight lodging packages, as well as day-only attendance and meal options, are available.

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    Guests may reserve lodge rooms, cabins or camping sites online at .

    To attend the weekend event, guests can find a downloadable registration form at under "Special Programs" or may call Wendy Greene at 304-558-2754.

    Nature Wonder Weekend is sponsored by the National Wild Foods Association, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and North Bend State Park.


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    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

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