Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Fodder food from natural world It is widely considered a means to connect with nature and bring some delicious morsels into the kitchen that you cannot easily find in supermarkets.
However, a warning last week The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust has said it does not allow baiting on its reserves, highlighting concerns about a practice that has seen a significant increase in recent years.
The Trust reminded visitors that “Mushrooms and toadstools are the reproductive part of the fungus and picking them prevents the fungus from releasing its spores to maintain healthy populations. It also removes extremely important sources of food for many wild animals and even other fungi.”
Partly due to the bounty of nature and the rise of entire social media accounts showcasing how to enjoy or prepare foraged foods, and partly due to a widespread sense of wanting to connect with nature, foraging is a growing trend.
A quick visit to Instagram can show you How to Prepare Acorns for Consumptionor usefully, How to Avoid Eating Deathcaps – The world’s deadliest mushroom.
The trend of baiting and the social media phenomenon associated with it has increased caused accusations and counter-accusations “Middle-class foragers” without the depth of knowledge needed to forage safely and sustainably represent a risk to the environment and their own health.
“We want people to come to our nature reserves and enjoy the wildlife there, including all the fantastic rare and unusual species you won’t see in local parks, farms or other parts of the countryside,” the Wildlife Trust’s post said.
For people interested in learning how to forage legally, safely and sustainably, there are several experts offering advice who are part of the Association of Foragers – a member organization that promotes best practices.
“I lead walking tours most of the year and a lot of people come on tours with little knowledge. But that’s the great thing about giving tours in person – you’re able to tell people what’s sustainable and what’s legal,” he said. Liam O’BrienWhich is based in Dorset and runs foraging walks and related activities.
“I can see that social media has sparked interest in it, but it has to do with the fact that people want to connect with nature. I think as a society we’ve become very disconnected from nature and it’s great that people want to reconnect and learn.”
He added: “I’m a big supporter of the right to roam movement. We should have something similar to what was introduced in Scotland some time ago – and the right to roam respectfully on land, because there are huge amounts of land blocked up in private hands and behind fences.”
O’Brien said for newcomers looking to forage, he would recommend going on a tour with a forage expert.
“There are so many talented foraging guides and teachers all over the country. Through the Association of Foragers’ website, people can see who is leading walks in their local area and learn from visiting in person. It can really help to build people’s confidence, help them understand the risks and learn how to do it sustainably.
“If they learn to work respectfully and sustainably and leave something for nature – for animals and insects as well as other forest dwellers – there is plenty to go around.”