There's something magical about walking along the shoreline at Point Prim, Prince Edward Island feeling the gentle breeze on your face and soft crunch of the seaweed beheath your feet but what you may not realize are the secrets held within those bits of eel grass, Irish moss, kelp and sea lettuce. 

For generations, the Gillis family has collected and sold Irish moss they’ve raked from the shore around the Point.  Within the shadow of the Island’s oldest lighthouse, they’ve reaped the bounty of the sea and now are willing to share that experience with you.  And along with marine botanist Dr. Irene Novaczek will share the secrets of these sea plants

Sitting on the beach, Irene will show you the different kinds of seaweeds found along the Island's shores...many of which are edible and have medicinal properties.  By feeling, smelling and touching each plant she'll show you how to identify them and where to look for them.  Then she'll explain how to collect them safely and sustainably as well as clean and preserve them for use at home.  She'll tell you about the special elements and compound each sea plant contains and how they can be valuable additions to your diet.

Then Gilbert Gillis will show you how he’s raked Irish moss from the Point Prim shore since he was a boy.  The equipment he uses has remained pretty much the same as the times when he worked alongside his father.  You’ll feel what it’s like to pull the rake through the water snagging the moss brought in by the storms and tides.  Then you’ll help Gilbert spread it out to dry in the sun as he explains how it is processed to remove the carrageen used as a food thickener and in cosmetics.

When you’re finished at the shore, you’ll go up to the house where you’ll help Goldie Gillis use Irish moss to prepare a delicious seaweed pie to have with your lunch of vegetable sea plant soup and dulse biscuits. 

When you’re ready to leave, Gilbert will have some Irish moss for you and Goldie will give you recipes for how to use it when you get home so you can show your friends what amazing things you did on Prince Edward Island.

Participants: Minimum 4 - Maximum 8

Available:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Fee:  $60.00/pp + GST

        $30.00/pp + GST  Children under 12 

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 Before you get here....how about meeting Goldie and Gilbert?