By Tara Linderborg-Cordry
Foraging is the practice of collecting wild foods like berries, edible plants and mushrooms. Many use foraging as an affordable way to supplement their diet with natural foods and plant medicines. Humboldt County has many factors which make it a hot spot for foraging. CJ Herman is a senior environmental science and management major and president of the Mycology Club.
“We’re on the coast, so it’s very nice and damp here in the fall,” Herman said. “We get a lot of rain.”
You can often find mushrooms and other edible plants hiding within the damp soil of Humboldt’s forests. Humboldt’s wild foods range from huckleberries, to coastal mussels. We also have a wide variety of edible mushrooms, including chanterelles, lobster mushrooms and king boletes.
Humboldt has a strong environmentally conscious culture, with many organizations raising climate awareness. Cal Poly Humboldt also maintains one of the highest percentages of students enrolled in Biological Science majors compared to other California universities.
Kevin Alvarez, a senior environmental science and management major and Mycology Club treasurer, talked about how Humboldt County has a lot of eco-friendly individuals.
“We find a lot of cool mushrooms because a lot of people are into it as well,” Alvarez said.
Herman discussed what beginners should know about foraging, suggesting that you should take only small amounts, and always identify a plant or mushroom before consuming it. Bringing a small paper bag can help with collection, and going with friends can make the experience more enjoyable. Identification is the most important part of foraging, a mistake can mean ingesting a toxic plant or fungus.
“The worst mistake is assuming that you know it already,” Herman said. California has many toxic plants and mushrooms including the Death Cap Mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Herman recommends using the iNaturalist app for identification and always bringing a field guide when foraging.
Foraging on Public Lands involves following rules to preserve the local environment and ecosystem. Many parks restrict how much you are allowed to collect. It is always recommended to stay on trails to avoid damaging any plants or wildlife.
“There can be a lot of foot traffic, since a lot of people are into mushrooms,” Alvares said. “So I would recommend staying as close to the trail as possible,”
Herman and Alvarez discussed how foraging can be a great way to connect with your neighbors and get some tasty treats along the way.
“There’s definitely a community wherever you are,” Herman said. The club encourages people to connect with others who are interested in mushroom hunting and other foraging.
Tara Linderborg-Cordry is a Journalism student and reporter with the Lumberjack. She is a Humboldt local, and is pursuing a career in Public relations. When she’s not writing, she’s usually at the beach with her dog, Murphy.