Foraging is defined as "searching for wild food resources" and is one of the most wonderful things you can do, wherever you live, whoever you are and whatever your economic status. It also gets you out there into the fresh air and into green spaces. There is nothing more enjoyable than bringing home wild food that can be turned into a recipe or made into a home-made preserve - or just eaten ! 

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However, there are guidelines of which anyone contemplating this should be aware, some just common sense and some guided by legislation : 

 

Responsible Foraging

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• Only collect flowers, seeds, fruit or leaves where there is an abundance

• Foraging should be carried out carefully to make sure there is enough left for birds and species to consume now and to ensure plants and fungi can regenerate & reproduce. You may not be the only person foraging and plants and fungi need to produce seeds and spores to grow into the next generation. 

• Get a good guide to wild food (with pictures !) - it will help tremendously

• All wild plants are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) - it is illegal to dig up / remove a plant from the land on which it is growing without permission from the landowner or occupier. Some species are specially protected against picking, uprooting, damage and sale. A list of protected plants can be found here : Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (legislation.gov.uk)

• Be very careful when it comes to mushrooms, however! Fungi (including mushrooms) are very difficult to identify and therefore guided reference should be made before contemplating the consumption of any such foraged food. Picking and eating the wrong sort of mushroom can kill you ! If in doubt, leave well alone. 

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Here is also a useful link to foraging, where and when :  

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/foraging/

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