Frequently Asked Questions

 
To teach foraging centered around fostering a deep, respectful connection with nature while equipping students with practical, safety-conscious skills. Here's how we approach it:

• Plant Identification Skills: We emphasize the importance of accurate plant identification as the foundation of safe foraging. Through hands-on learning, students learn to recognize key features of plants in various seasons and conditions, focusing on both edible and potentially harmful species. We use a mix of traditional field guides, modern apps, and sensory learning (taste, smell, texture) to enhance recognition abilities.
• Resource Utilization: Understanding that experts aren't always available, We teach students to leverage resources like field guides, online databases, and community networks. We encourage the use of apps that can help identify plants but stress the importance of cross-referencing with multiple sources to ensure accuracy.
• Stewardship of Nature: A core part of our philosophy is instilling a sense of responsibility towards the environment. We teach that foraging isn't just about taking but also about giving back. This includes understanding the ecological role of plants, the importance of biodiversity, and practices like leaving no trace, ensuring that what we take does not harm the ecosystem.
• Sustainable Harvesting: We discuss and practice sustainable foraging techniques, such as only harvesting what you need, understanding plant life cycles, and knowing how to harvest without damaging the plant or its future growth. We aim to teach students to be thoughtful harvesters who contribute to the sustainability of the natural world.
• Awareness of Environmental Contaminants: We educate on how to assess the safety of foraging areas, including awareness of potential contaminants like pollution, pesticides, or heavy metals. This involves teaching how to research land use history and understanding signs of contamination, helping students to make informed decisions about where and what to forage.
• Safety: Above all, safety is paramount. This includes not just the physical aspects like avoiding poisonous plants or knowing how to treat injuries but also understanding legal implications, respecting private property, and ensuring personal safety in remote areas. We cover emergency preparedness, including how to use what nature provides for first aid, and the importance of always foraging with a buddy.

By integrating these elements, our goal is to create foragers who are knowledgeable, ethical, and safe, ensuring that their foraging practices are beneficial both to themselves and to the environment. This approach doesn't just teach how to find food in nature; it cultivates a lifelong respect and love for the natural world. 

Our teaching philosophy is centered as much as possible, on small class size, and hands-on immersive learning.  Print materials and take-aways are provided with each offering.

Yes, we offer wild food identification services to landowners. Please contact us for rates and availability.

Our sessions typically last one to two hours, but we can accommodate longer sessions by request.

Our wild food backwoods treks typically last 2-3 days.  This will include backcountry hiking and camping. A checklist of the necessary items needed will be provided in the trek description.