Berry forage

Description
St. Edward’s State Park invites you to a captivating adventure of berry foraging. As you step into this lush, sun-dappled forest, the air carries the sweet promise of ripe berries. The towering evergreens create a cathedral-like canopy, their needles whispering secrets of seasons past.
Sun-kissed blackberries dangle like precious jewels, their plumpness inviting your touch. Each berry bursts with flavor—a symphony of tartness and sweetness. As you reach for them, your fingers brush against dew-kissed leaves, releasing an earthy aroma that grounds you in the moment.
Huckleberries, hidden amidst ferns and moss-covered logs, beckon with their dusky allure. Their indigo skins guard a treasure trove of taste—a blend of blueberry and wild magic. You’ll find yourself crouching low, fingers stained purple, lost in the rhythm of gathering.

List of wild berries available in July.

Confirmed Sightings on iNaturalist in St Edwards State Park

1. Blackberry
2. Blackcap raspberry
3. Red Huckleberry
4. Thimbleberry

Other berries also available in July but no confirmed sightings reported

1. Dewberry
2. Elderberry
3. Oregon Grapes
4. Salal Berry
5. Saskatoon berry
6. Salmon Berry

How to Identify Wild Berry
There are many options but none are fully fool-proof

1. Observe plant features
2. Study wild berries ahead of time to memorize what they look like
3. Print out pictures of berries you want to forage so you can use it
4. Have the pictures of berries you want to forage saved on your phone
5. Use iNaturalist or another app like plantsnap or picture this
6. Ask someone in our group
7. Pick the berry and post a picture online to foraging groups asking for help with identification.

How to find Wild Berries
Use iNaturalist to look up the reported sightings of berries you wish to target. Once we meet at the Green Lake Park & Ride, we will go to St Edwards State Park to go berry foraging.

1. Containers to carry what you forage
2. Gloves to protect you from thorns. Obviously get gloves that make sense for foraging and won't get thorns stuck into them.
3. Knife/scissor for cutting(Optional)
4. Sturdy shoes
5. Long pants and full sleeve shirts
6. Water and snacks
7. Weather appropriate clothing

Liability Form
This form is mandatory. Filling out this form is required for me to move you off waitlist and into the event.
https://forms.gle/AoA92BUoETC4r1DV9

Optional Cooking
We will host an optional cooking session if it feels like what we have gathered is worth cooking. I will book a kitchen that we can use for this. I recommend bringing cooking ingredients before you head out to join us for berry foraging so you don't have to go back to get cooking equipment. The kitchen I will book is close to a grocery store too.
Location
We will meet at GreenLake Park and Ride so that we can meet together to carpool. We will then go to St Edwards State Park where it's legal to forage for berries.

Risks you agree to assume

1. Typical Hiking risks
2. Eating poisonous berries by accident
3. Eating pesticides
4. Thorns
5. Bug bites

Communications
Discuss and ask questions here on whatsapp
https://bit.ly/3Ubs1pD

Sustainable Practices

1. Avoid harvesting endangered species by only harvesting from our list
2. Don't create unnecessary trails especially if trails already exist
3. If you do create trails, try to avoid stepping on too many native plants. Avoid stepping on rarer plants
4. Don't harvest the whole plant. Just harvest the berry if possible
5. Don't litter