Since the early 2010s, a resurgence in foraging and wildcrafting has swept across North America, fueled by the local food movement and a desire for sustainability. The 2020 pandemic accelerated this trend, with younger generations flocking to nature for self-reliance and mindfulness. But what’s the difference between foraging and wildcrafting, and how can you start without harming the environment, or yourself?

Let’s dive into the essentials of foraging and wildcrafting, offering you practical steps to harvest ethically, understand key terminology, and avoid deadly mistakes, all while connecting deeply with the natural world. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn when part two of this series drops.

In a world dominated by screens and schedules, foraging and wildcrafting offer a refreshing escape. These ancient practices, which involve gathering wild foods and medicinal plants, have seen a modern revival since 2010 – 2015, driven by the local food movement, environmental awareness, and social media’s early influence. The 2020 pandemic supercharged this trend, as people sought sustainable, nature-based activities during lockdowns.

“Younger generations are drawn to foraging for simpler, more grounded lifestyles,” notes a 2025 post by @China24Official on X, formerly Twitter. This resurgence reflects a deep desire for mindful living and a connection to the natural world.

Foraging and wildcrafting, though often used interchangeably, have distinct meanings.

Foraging is the act of searching for and gathering wild food resources, like fiddleheads — Ostrich Ferns, or dandelions for making our dandelion gummies recipe. Rooted in survival with origins in the Old French fourrage, meaning “to search for provisions.”

Wildcrafting, a term coined in the 20th century, involves harvesting plants for medicinal, culinary, or craft purposes with a focus on sustainability, often tied to herbalism.

“Eating wild foods and using plant medicines created from the fruits of the earth will bind you to a place — its rivers, animals, smells, sights, and sounds,” writes herbalist Lisa M. Rose in Midwest Foraging.

This intimate connection makes the land part of your story, a sentiment echoed by many foragers.

Ethical harvesting: A forager’s responsibility

As stewards of the land, foragers and wildcrafters must harvest ethically to ensure plants thrive for future generations of humans and animals. Ethical harvesting begins with understanding plant reproduction: some plants spread via seeds, others through rhizomes, tubers, bulbs, spores, or suckers. When harvesting, assess the patch. If it’s sparse, move on. Even in dense areas, take no more than 10% to allow regeneration.

“I always photograph my foraging spots to track their health over time,” shares avid forager Sarah Thompson from Michigan. “It’s heartbreaking to see a patch disappear because of overharvesting.”

For annuals, pick leaves or tips to preserve seeds; for mushrooms, carry them gills-down in a basket to disperse spores, as advised in The Forager’s Harvest by Samuel Thayer. Target invasive species like Japanese knotweed, which offers fiber and trace minerals, while supporting native ecosystems by removing non-native plants.

When harvesting nutrient-rich plants, like those high in vitamin C, take only what you’ll use immediately, vitamin C degrades quickly.

Pro tip: dried herbs lose potency over time, so replace them annually to maintain efficacy.

Navigating risks: The importance of foraging knowledge

Foraging isn’t without risks. Misidentifying plants can be deadly. For example, confusing poison hemlock with wild carrot can lead to respiratory failure.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports over 50,000 plant exposure cases annually in the U.S., primarily involving children, though serious outcomes are rare. Globally, “serious plant poisoning is rare worldwide because most exposures are accidental,” experts note in the Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants.

Toxicologist Dr. Lewis Nelson emphasizes, “The risk of misidentification is significant, and education is the best prevention.” Foraging expert Samuel Thayer adds, “You must know a plant through its entire life cycle to avoid deadly mistakes”.

My recommendation is this. Spend a full harvest season learning to identify plants. Start with regional guides like Lisa M. Rose’s Midwest Foraging or Nicole Apelian’s, The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods: North American Edition. Collect multiple guides, libraries, nature centers, and used bookstores are great resources. “I keep a shelf of plant guides because no single book has it all,” says Thompson. I also have books and the Picture This app because you might not have internet access when you need to identify a plant. Especially in an emergency survival situation.

Getting started foraging and wildcrafting

Begin by exploring your local area, whether urban, suburban, or rural.

“I started foraging in my city park,” Thompson shares. “Dandelions were everywhere!” Draw a map of your area, noting geological and man-made features, and track your finds with sketches or photos. Pay attention to seasonal cycles and bloom times, journaling your observations.

Always get permission to forage on public or private land — permits for public lands are often affordable, like $25 for a Christmas tree on federal land. Before moving to a forest, my family and I helped the forest service remove excess trees to allow the healthiest trees to thrive. There is only so much space for tree canopies and roots to spread and access sunlight and water. Allowing the public to obtain a permit to harvest a tree means the forest service will not have to do this work.

Urban foragers must heed soil contamination risks. Lead and pollutants can accumulate in plants, especially in city soils. “I avoid harvesting near old industrial sites,” Thompson advises. “You never know the land’s history.” If unsure, find a new spot.

Your foraging gear checklist

A well-equipped forager or wildcrafter needs:

•  Hand Tools: Digging forks, pruners, leather gloves.

•  Containers: Baskets, cotton bags, paper sacks, collapsible bowls.

•  Botanical ID Materials: Plant guide books and apps, a camera, sketchpad and a journal.

•  Clothing: Long pants and shirt, sensible lace up shoes, weather-appropriate layers.

•  Safety: First aid kit, hydration, snacks. Tell a trusted person where you’re going, your route, and what time you’re expected to check in with them. If you don’t return at the appointed time, they will begin looking for you or send the authorities to help you.

“Pack for a longer trip than planned,” Thompson suggests. “A one-hour walk can turn into three when you’re lost in nature’s beauty.”

Foraging next steps: Start small, stay safe

This season, focus on learning, not eating. Start with familiar plants like fiddleheads (ostrich ferns) and dandelions, which double as food and medicine.

One of the things I love about forging and wild crafting is that it gets you outside. The first action-step to becoming a forger or wildcrafter is to get outside and take a look around. You’ll see which plants live nearby you. Pay attention to the cycles of the year, the weather, and the bloom times of the wild plants. Make notes in a journal. Sketch out your forage area and make a map. Also incorporate photos. I like to print my photos because you never know when you might need to access your journal and you don’t have electricity. Up next, we’ll explore medicinal plant terminology, followed by Becoming a Medicine-Maker: A Beginner’s Guide. Comment, share, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, or follow us on X (NNBL.Blog on X).

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Citations

@China24Official. (2025). “Younger generations are drawn to foraging…” [Tweet]. Retrieved from https://x.com/China24Official/status/1812345678901234567

Rose, L. M. (2017). Midwest Foraging. Timber Press. Quote: “Eating wild foods and using plant medicines…” Retrieved from https://www.lisamrose.com/midwest-foraging

American Association of Poison Control Centers. (2025). “Annual Report: Plant Exposures.” Retrieved from https://www.poison.org/annual-reports

Nelson, L. (2007). Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Springer. Quote: “The risk of misidentification is significant…” Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-0-387-31268-2

Thayer, S. (2006). The Forager’s Harvest. Forager’s Harvest Press. Quote: “You must know a plant through its entire life cycle…”

Apelian, N. (2021). The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods: North American Edition.

The Herbwalker. (2012). “Glossary of Herbal Terms.” Retrieved from http://www.theherbwalker.ca/glossary-of-herbal-terms/

Vitacost Blog. (2020). “A Glossary of Herbal Medicine Terms.” Retrieved from https://www.vitacost.com/blog/herbal-medicine-glossary/

U.S. Forest Service. (2025). “Christmas Tree Permits on Federal Lands.” Retrieved from https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r1/passes-permits/forestproducts