By Andrea Flores
The wind blows a little bit colder, leaves fall more frequently, and every other flavor has become pumpkin. As we enter the month of September, I can finally be corny and say, “It’s fall y’all!” The coming of this season means different things for everybody; a new semester, cozy blankets, drinking apple cider, jumping on dry leaves, or as the title suggests: Foraging, aka gathering wild plants, fruits, fungi, etc.!
The start of fall is a great season to start foraging if it’s something that you are particularly interested in, either to take a break from the stress of everyday life or simply to learn more about nature and its beauty. If this sounds like something you would like to do, then look no further, and let me give you some tips and tricks to start your magical fairy journey!
- First and foremost, we have to be safe. Be sure to know which places you can go that will be safe to explore. Never eat, touch, or take anything that you haven’t identified. Make sure to do research in your area and to be aware of your surroundings.
- Be respectful. We might see a group of plants, flowers, or fruits that we really like and want to take them all! But we have to remember to be respectful of our environment and other people. The rule of ten tells you to harvest one native plant for every ten you see.
- Have a plan. It’s easier (and more fun) to know what you would like to harvest beforehand. Berries are easier to identify and collect than well-known flowers. Just remember to make sure you are allowed to take some!
And after you are done you can do a bunch of things with what you collect! Press flowers, make bouquets, make jam with the berries, or straight up wash and eat them. The most important part is to get some fresh air once in a while, set up some time for a walk, and connect with nature and people. To all the new students and the returning ones, have fun this semester and make the best of this experience.
