F.O.R.A.G.E.

            Foraging season in the north woods is upon us! (Although it should be noted that winter foraging has its own unique appeal) I thought it would be a good time to go over just some of my personal foraging safety tips!

F- Fact check. Don't assume the first ID you recieve is the right one. I ID new plants/fungi with at least three trusted sources before utilizing.

O- Organize your pack before and after every trip. Clean out containers, make sure flashlights have batteries, make sure your first aid and survival gear is all up to snuff.

R- Respect the land you are on. Who's land are you walking? Any chance of spraying or runoff? Do you have permission to be there? What's the terrain like? What's going on with the weather? How's the wildlife situation?

A- Awareness: remain aware of your surroundings. Know where you've been and where you are going. Keep an eye and ear out for wildlife (bears are awake and hungry up here).

G- Gear. According to all the wild woman memes I've seen we should either be running barefoot through the forest in a buckskin loincloth and fur trimmed bra or wafting about the trees in diaphanous flowing gowns. Those are great for photo shoots but quite impractical for actual work in the wild. Pull those long socks up over your pant legs (tick protection), wear the ankle supporting boots, dress in layers so you can be prepared for whatever fickle weather spring has in store for you.

E- Energy. Remain aware of your energy level. If you are already exhausted and haven't turned around yet that can spell a really bad time. Make sure you have a good fast energy snack and water with you whether you think you will need it or not. If you are hiking in a group (another excellent safety practice) don't be afraid to communicate when you need a break or feel done for the day.

            Foraging can be such a fun way to get the whole family out into nature and exercising! Photo foraging can also be extremely rewarding and educational as well if you are not currently interested in utilizing any of your finds. The more people we have respectfully and mindfully interacting with their eco systems the better chance we have at protecting the natural wonders around us.

 New mullein is all over! This fuzzy plant is a life saver for nasty chest colds. Nature's Mucinex!

 Certainly my most important harvest: chaga the medicinal powerhouse! The sustainable harvest and use of this fungus is of utmost importance. If you choose to purchase chaga please do so from a reputable source. 

 Gyromitra esculenta, or brain fungus! Sometimes called the false morel but it doesn't really have anything to do with morels. Apparently some people eat this...but others feel the nasty side effects of a chemical akin to jet fuel. We do not chance it and just take photos of this interesting character.

 Ostrich fern fiddle heads just before maturing to harvest. These ones are too small and too tight together to collect now, the best time is when they still have their foil but are just starting to uncoil. Not all fern species are edible so please do your research!

 She's practicing her morel face!! We always harvest mushrooms in loose weave baskets. That way we help them spread their spores throughout the forest. 

This is an example of me needing to do more research. I'm pretty sure we stumbled upon a patch of wild cucumber but I have never seen them before! We will have to watch this spot this season.