Before we get into a foraging frenzy, rejoicing in all that nature has to offer in the first breaths of warm air, it is good to remember the guidelines for Ethical Foraging. Note, I said, guidelines. I'm not really into steadfast rules and each outing into the wilds is situational. The following are simply ideas to ensure that the land and plants are respected and to create a sustainable future for foraging.

I believe that each person on this planet has a responsibility to become stewards of the natural world. Being a steward involves ethically harvesting – take only what you need, leaving endangered plants to grow – and keeping natural spaces clean and protected.

Check Permissions

Some areas you are free to forage, others not so much. Do not trespass and if you are in a park that does not allow removal of any plants or rocks, be sure to respect those ordinances. If you are not sure about an area, do your research before going. Most national park areas will have a website or contact information for any questions you might have.

Many foragers that live close to nature also seek permission from the land and plants themselves. This could mean meditating and developing a close relationship with the land you harvest from, the plants themselves, and respecting when you get a feeling like you are not welcome.

An Offering is often encouraged. Consider donating time or money to your local botanical sanctuary, wildlife preserve, etc. Leave an offering for the plants if you feel called – sometimes as simple as some water from your pack.

Prepare for Foraging

Before you go out to collect plants, make sure you have everything you need. This will vary depending on where you are harvesting – if you are in your back yard you will obviously need less prepping than if you are going on a camping trip miles away.

Make sure you have a good field guide (we use Peterson’s for our region), paper bags to put your plants in and a marker to make a note on the bag what is inside, a knife, and gloves are all good pack items to carry for foraging.

Know Where You Are Harvesting

Not only do you need to make sure someone knows where you will be and how long (basic hiking/camping safety) but also what sorts of conditions are the plants you are harvesting growing in.

Do not harvest from areas that are frequented by dogs or sprayed by pesticides/herbicides.

Do not harvest near roads.

Do not harvest in polluted areas. If there is trash or you suspect water pollution from run-off, please participate in cleaning up the area as best and safely as you can but do no harvest herbs from that area. This also means not leaving any trash behind yourself.

Know What You Are Harvesting

Only harvest plants you can 100% positively identify. Check local field guides for safe plants and poisonous look-a-likes. Also, check the Endangered Species lists.

Do Not harvest plants you cannot identify or that are on the Endangered Species list.

Ethical Harvesting

Only take what you need. Don’t get greedy. Most herbal remedies only require a small amount of the herb. Harvest only from abundance and work from the outside in, especially when dealing with plants that have a central mother plant.

Harvest in ways that do the least damage to the plant. For example, if you are harvesting bark from a tree – harvest from twigs and branches rather than stripping the trunk and leaving it vulnerable to disease.

If the part of the plant you need is one that will kill the plant after the harvest (i.e. harvesting the whole plant or the root) do what you can to ensure future growth like scattering seeds, starting from a slip, etc.

Foraging Enjoyment

Not every step into nature needs to be treated like a rush to the pantry or supermarket.

Enjoy your surroundings. There’s more to be had from nature than edibles and medicinals. The sunshine, fresh air, and beauty of the world have their own nutrients.

Be open to new experiences. Perhaps you went into the woods to gather acorns only to find the squirrels went wild. Don’t be discouraged or you might miss the abundance of chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms growing nearby. Sometimes the woods knows better than we do what we need.