A Unique Opportunity to Learn from a National Environmental Voice
Nature lovers, gardeners, outdoor adventurers, and sustainability enthusiasts will have a special opportunity this March when environmental educator and activist Robin Greenfield visits RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls as part of his nationwide “Year of Foraging” tour.
Taking place on March 15, the free public event invites visitors from across the region to gather along the scenic South Yadkin River for an afternoon of learning, conversation, and connection with the natural world.
Greenfield’s visit is being co-hosted by Happy Roots, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting communities with nature through school gardens, environmental education, and local food initiatives.
The event offers a rare chance to hear directly from one of the country’s most engaging voices on simple living, sustainability, and food sovereignty.
What Is the “Year of Foraging”?
Greenfield’s current project is exactly what it sounds like — a full year dedicated to eating only foods that can be grown, gathered, or foraged locally.
That means no grocery stores, no restaurants, no pharmacies, and not even a traditional garden. Nature itself becomes the pantry.
During his stop in Davie County, Greenfield will share stories and lessons from this ambitious journey, offering insights into how communities can rediscover the edible abundance growing all around them.
Visitors can expect:
- A 45–60 minute talk about foraging and food sovereignty
- Audience Q&A with Greenfield
- A community gathering and conversation
- Book signing and meet-and-greet
- A display of real foods and medicines he has foraged
His book Food Freedom will also be available for donation, with all proceeds supporting Indigenous and Black-led food sovereignty initiatives through Gardens of Liberation.
Optional donations of $10–$40 at the event will support the 1 Million Community Fruit Trees Initiative, a grassroots effort to plant fruit trees in communities along Greenfield’s tour.
Why RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls Is the Perfect Setting
Greenfield’s message of reconnecting with nature fits perfectly with the setting of RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls, one of Davie County’s most scenic outdoor destinations.
Located along the South Yadkin River, the park offers visitors a beautiful natural landscape where native plants, wildlife, and flowing water create the ideal backdrop for exploring the region’s edible and medicinal plants.
Highlights of the park include:
- A historic stone dam and scenic river views
- A natural sandy beach created by past flooding
- Wooded hiking trails with benches and picnic tables
- Swimming areas and gentle rapids where visitors often wade and play
- Excellent fishing during the spring and fall seasons
- Canoeing and kayaking access with river portages
- A large picnic shelter is available for gatherings and reunions
Whether visitors come for a peaceful walk in the woods, a day on the water, or a relaxing picnic along the riverbank, RiverPark offers an authentic outdoor experience that keeps people returning throughout the year.
Plan Your Visit to RiverPark
RiverPark operates on a seasonal schedule:
April – October:
Wednesday through Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
November – March:
Friday through Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The park is also open on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
An entrance fee is charged during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day and select spring/fall weekends).
Visitors are encouraged to wear old tennis shoes in the river due to the naturally slippery granite bedrock and moss found along the riverbed. Swimming is allowed, but there is no lifeguard on duty, so water activities are at your own risk.
To protect the park’s beautiful natural environment:
- No alcohol, drugs, or smoking
- No glass containers
- Pets must remain on a 10-foot leash
- Open fires are not permitted
- Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and leave no trace
A Day to Reconnect with Nature
Greenfield’s visit is expected to attract visitors from Davie, Rowan, and surrounding counties, offering a meaningful opportunity to explore the intersection of nature, food, and community.
Foraging may seem like an old-fashioned skill, but Greenfield’s message is simple: the landscapes around us are full of nourishment, knowledge, and possibility — if we learn how to see them.
The March 15 event invites attendees to slow down, step outdoors, and rediscover the natural abundance growing right here in the Piedmont.
Event Details
Robin Greenfield – Year of Foraging Tour
RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls
March 15 from 2:00-5:00
Free to attend (donations encouraged)
Learn more and register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-year-of-foraging-with-activist-forager-robin-greenfield-tickets-1982640381753?aff=oddtdtcreator
