Leave Plenty Behind
A considerate outing respects the place as much as the find.
Start with permission
Identify who owns or manages the land and check the rules for that particular site and activity. A public trail, an open gate or a marked map location does not establish permission to gather. Protected areas, private land and other managed sites can have different restrictions.
Notice what surrounds the patch
Before collecting, look at the size of the patch, the condition of the habitat and how much foot traffic it is receiving. Avoid trampling neighbouring plants or pulling apart logs and litter. If reaching a find would cause damage, leave it.
Gather within your needs
Take only what you can identify, use and lawfully collect. There is no single percentage that makes every harvest sustainable. The species, plant part, abundance and site all matter. Roots and bulbs deserve particular care because removing them can remove the whole plant.
Keep a place worth returning to
Leave old mushrooms, small patches and uncertain finds alone. Carry out litter and resist creating new trails to collecting spots. A successful excursion should leave the landscape in good condition, whether your basket is full or empty.
Forageberry’s original editorial guide. This is introductory reading, not a substitute for in-person identification or site-specific harvesting rules.