Guide to Ethical Mushroom Foraging by BaltiSpore
Foraging for wild edibles is something that is engrained in the DNA of each and every one of us. It is how our ancestors first found food, through hunting and gathering. While years have passed, and our food systems have become industrialized, shifting our attitudes dramatically about where and how food is made, I believe we are starting to see a return to our roots. When the pandemic hit, many of us grew tired of being locked indoors and found solace in nature. With that, came an appreciation for all the life held within every square inch of it. Eyes were opened to not only the beauty of the world but to the resources and nourishment that it can provide.
While some of us have been participating in foraging for years, we are starting to see a cultural shift and increasingly growing numbers partaking in this activity. For those newer to this practice, I would like to give general guidelines on how we can all participate in this practice respectfully and with land stewardship at the forefront of our minds.
- Study the wild edibles in your area. Safety is of the utmost importance, and while it is exciting to find food in nature, it can also be dangerous if you do not have an accurate identification of what you are trying to find. Toxic look-a-likes are a plenty, and one needs to be informed of them to ensure they do not poison themselves. If you do not know the identification of something, do not pick it.
- When foraging, it is best practice to take only 1/3 of whatever you find (unless it is an invasive species, in which it is best to grab as much as possible to prevent its spread). As exciting as finding food is, it is important to remember that many other species depend on it to thrive. By removing the totality of their food sources, you harm local wildlife and prevent the plant from reproducing and generating more growth for the next season. If you come across a small patch of something that is rare (i.e. ramps) it is best to leave it be for that season until it spreads.
- Give back when you can. Practicing reciprocity when foraging not only gives back to the environment, but it creates a greater harvest for years to come. If you find seeds, replant them nearby, or divide tubers and spread them around to ensure the plants continue to reproduce.
- Harvest in safe areas. Avoid picking plants or fungi from the sides of highways, industrial areas, areas that have recently had pesticides applied to them, etc. Many plants and fungi act as bioaccumulators, meaning they take up chemicals and heavy metals. This is not something you want to ingest!
- Leave the area you foraged from as good or better than you had found it. I always carry a trash bag with me and pick up any litter I find along the way. Leave no trace, do not alter landscapes for your own personal needs, and avoid creating new trails, driving off-road, and disturbing nests or dens of wild animals.
- Ensure you are foraging from an area in which it is legal to forage. Many parks and recreation areas have their rules posted. Be aware of hunting season and those around you to ensure that you are taking appropriate measures to keep yourself safe and out of trouble.
- Make sure you have the right tools with you. If you are foraging from plants, make sure to bring pruners. Ragged cuts can promote disease and endanger the plants from which you have prospered from. Take care to wear the appropriate clothes to protect yourself from insect bites or plants that irritate the skin. Always check for ticks, and if you can, carry bug spray!
Ethical and responsible foraging is a continuous and conscious practice. These guidelines and rules are the tips of the iceberg to ensuring a reciprocal relationship with the land is maintained. Education is ongoing, and I encourage everyone to always continue to study and learn more as their journey into foraging grows! Happy hunting!
Written by Harriett Harris, BaltiSpore
Harriett is one of the founders of Baltispore. They have a background in agriculture, IPM, and greenhouse growing. Harriett first got into mushrooms when they realized all of the potential medicinal effects they hold. When they’re not growing mushrooms and running markets for BaltiSpore they can be found foraging, skating with their local roller derby league, or gardening.
| Legal Foraging Areas (as of 2023) | ||
| Park | Foraged Item | Amount allowed to forage a day (gallons) |
| Shenandoah National Park | morel mushrooms | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | blueberries | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | strawberries | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | blackberries | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | grapes | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | elderberries | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | gooseberries | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | huckleberries | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | cherries/plums | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | serviceberries | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | persimmons | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | black walnuts | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | hickory nuts | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | american hazelnut | 1 gallon |
| Shenandoah National Park | apples | 8 gallons |
| Shenandoah National Park | pears | 8 gallons |
| Shenandoah National Park | peaches | 8 gallons |
| Shenandoah National Park | all other edible fungi | 0.25 gallons |
| Gambrill State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Monocacy Battlefield | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Greenbrier State Park | all edibles, up to visitors discretion to know safety of foraged goods. | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Patapsco Valley State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Catoctin Mountain Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | no limits stated – requiress a permit from the superintendent |
| Rocks State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Patuxent River State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Cunningham Falls State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Gunpowder Falls State Par | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| South Mountain State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Susquehanna State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |
| Smallwood State Park | all species. May not destroy plants in their entirety | do not remove entire plant or specimen unless invasive. Cannot be sold. |