Protocol for Wild Foraging
How to be a good environmental steward
Do not harvest anything until some research is done.
- Plant identification, possible look-alikes
- Plant toxicity and common toxic plants in the area
- Role in ecosystem - other animals that use or inhabit the plant, including other human harvesters.
- Threatened or endangered plants in the area
- Legality of possessing and using plant
- History of area
- Legality of accessing area
- Harvesting permits
Get permission.
- Double check harvesting permits.
- "Noxious weeds" from lawns may be harvested using weeding as pretense.
Harvest in unpolluted areas.
Warning
Residue may be difficult to remove completely. Ground and water pollutants may be taken up and disperesed into the plant.
- 50-100 yards away from public roads.
- Harvest from own lawn if possible.
- Avoid the following locations:
- Downwind from pollution.
- On/near roadsides with auto exhaust residue.
- Downstream mining/agricultur/chemically laden businesses
- Near any place that uses herbicides and pesticides (farms, parks, other lawns)
- Soil test for areas with a lot of, or a history of, industry.
- Unkempt / unmowed areas generally safer from pesticides.
Gather only from healthy plants and communities
- Avoid plants that have the following:
- High presence or traces of insects
- Powdery mildew
- Wilted / dead parts
- Are away from their preferred growing conditions
- Anything that seems "off"
- Pick from the central portions of a community of plants.
Harvest in abundance only.
Make sure there is plenty around before harvesting.
- Do not pick the first and last plant found. Never harvest if there is only a single individual. Look for large, well-established populations.
- Gather from various ages.
- Identify threatened or endangered species. Avoid harvesting - spread and plant them instead.
Harvest with minimal disturbance
TAKE ONLY WHAT IS NEEDED.
- Avoid leaving bald spots in a patch.
- Avoid repeatedly harvesting in the same stand.
- Leave no evidence of removal. Refill dug holes.
- Note impact of footwear and passage on environment and terrain.
- If possible, clean up trash along the way.
Leave enough for plant to continue to prosper and be strong
- Native species: remove <= 10%
Naturalized species: remove <=20% - Leave the largest, healthiest part or individual.
- When harvesting from a hillside, begin at the bottom and work upward. Leave the plants at the top alone.
- Always leave some fruits and seeds for animals.
- Scatter fruiting bodies to help disperse them.
When harvesting specific parts:
| Part | Protocol |
|---|---|
| Roots |
Dense rhizomatic plants benefit from responsible root harvest: replant root crown and a few 1-2 inch sections of rhizomes that have buds with healthy (6-12 in.) spacing. |
| Bushes / Trees | Pick from borders and leave central core alone. |
| Bark | Gather from smaller branches or recently felled trees only. Never take from main trunk Never strip a ring of bark on live trees: limit incisions to <1/4 of limb's circumference Prune ~thumb-sized branches witih sharp, clean set of shears or loppings. Do not peel bark directly. |
| Seeds | Scatter some seeds after harvesting them. Leave some on the plant for the animals. Plant into ground during harvest or when passing by. |
| Leaves | Some plants benefit from having young leaves harvested and will grow more in response. |
| Fruits | Leave some on the plant for the animals. Plant into ground during harvest or when passing by. |
| Flowers | Harvest may prevent plant from creating / pollinating seeds depending on the plant's life cycle. Some may always produce more flowers, and some only have a set number produced. |
Protocol of Numbers
| Part Harvested | Harvest Limit |
|---|---|
| Entire plant | 1/10 max total individuals |
| Stem / root | 1/6 max total individuals |
| Flower / fruit | 1/5 max total individuals |
| Seeds | 1/5 max total individuals |
References
An Anarchist Free Herbal
The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual (2000) by James Green
Ars Philtron by Daniel Schulke