If you've ever experienced the joy of finding a mulberry tree heavy with fruit in a park before (or if you have and you want to experience that thrill), this class may be for you! Here we will cover the hobby of harvesting wild edible plants. Foraging journeyman John Newman will be gathering all of his knowledge on the subject to share with the Madison Audubon community. While gearing this class towards beginners, it is intended as a comprehensive introduction.
While originally planned for an in-person experience, this class will be held online in an interactive platform called Zoom. Participants will be able to see and hear John present, see his screen, and images of what he’s describing, and ask questions. It’s free for users, and easy to use!
This class will talk about favorite plants to harvest as well as ways to use them. With safety a priority, the plant species taught here will be fairly foolproof and easy to identify. We will also teach the laws on foraging – what you cannot take and what you can.
A key focus of this class will be the ethics of foraging, and how to do so with a mind towards the future health of an edible ecosystem. That way natives like ramps can be enjoyed by generations to come, while invasives like garlic mustard are ideally eliminated from the continent.
John Newman is a Wisconsin Master Naturalist and enthusiastic promoter of wild spaces. He has studied and practiced foraging for most of his life, starting with black raspberries and wild mint. His most exciting recent find was a chicken-of-the-woods fungus growing in a community garden. John is also part of the education department at Madison Audubon, making regular visits with classes and afterschool programs to share with children the wonders of nature.
Registration will open to Madison Audubon members on March 27, and any remaining spots will be opened to the broader community on April 10. If you’d like to join Madison Audubon, click here!
Date: Saturday, May 9
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Location: online
Enrollment cap: 25 people
Registration fee: $10.00 per person
Taught by: John Newman
Cover photo by Tiggins Meadow
