What is foraging? Not just a fairy tale fantasy. How to get started in Arizona

Foraging isn’t just a fairy tale fantasy where you wander through forests and magically find baskets of berries. Far from being a survivalist relic, modern foraging blends sustainability and a little bit of adventure.

From deserts and canyons of Arizona to urban parks and community gardens, you can forage almost anywhere. But before you start picking up a basket and walking into the woods, remember, foraging comes with rules. Many plants are protected, and overharvesting can harm local ecosystems.

Joining a local foraging group or attending a guided hike can help make the learning process easier for beginners.

Here is everything to know about foraging and where to forage in Arizona.

Can you forage in Arizona?

Yes, you can forage in Arizona, but you must be knowledgeable of the rules.

We talked with Mike Dechter, executive director at the Arizona Mushroom Society, who told us that “where picking plants and mushrooms is allowed, many of the rules and regulations are specifically written broadly so as to allow additional rulemaking at each national forest or park. This also allows for greater flexibility and interpretation by local law enforcement.”

Some key elements to know, according to Dechter, include:

• These rules apply to personal use and not commercial use.
• It is always advised to call the local state land office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Forest Service or National Park Service office to find out about rules for plant and/or mushroom collection to confirm the rules and get any updated information.
• Rules and regulations can and do change, so before loading up your bags or basket, make sure to check the latest policies regarding wild plants and gathering on public lands.

On National Forest lands, you can collect plants and fungi for personal use without a permit, as long as you stay within posted personal-use harvest limits. These limits vary by forest, like Coronado, which sets daily and annual limits for items such as berries, mushrooms, mesquite pods, and pine needles, but prohibits harvesting saguaro skeletons. Commercial collection always requires a permit.

RELATED: 16 edible & medicinal plants in Arizona

“National Forests fall under federal regulations that allow for personal use of special forest products. In some instances, individual national forests have identified personal use harvest levels for specific plants or fungi and those guidelines should be followed,” said Dechter.

Dechter mentions that most National Parks prohibit collecting plants and mushrooms. There are some exceptions such as at Grand Canyon National Park, which allows visitors to collect 25lbs of pinyon nuts (in shell) per household per year. “Here in the southwest, permits for plant and mushroom collection is generally not available,” said Dechter.

On BLM lands, small amounts of products like flowers, nuts, seeds and firewood may be gathered for personal use without a permit. Larger quantities, or anything for sale, require a permit or contract.

“Like national forests, each state can set the amounts of reasonable quantities for each product. California has set reasonable quantities for pine nuts, berries, mushrooms, cones, greenery and moss. Arizona and New Mexico have not set reasonable quantities for noncommercial collection,” said Dechter.

In Arizona State Trust Lands, recreation permits are required, but removing plants or materials is prohibited.

On private lands, you must have written permission to forage from the landowner.

“Having this written permission may be important if you are transporting it through or nearby public lands,” said Dechter.

On tribal lands, foraging is not allowed as you are prohibited from removing any natural resources.

What wild plants are edible in Arizona?

Arizona is full of edible wild plants. Here are some of the most common ones people forage:

• Prickly pear.
• Barrel cactus fruit.
• Cholla buds.
• Saguaro fruit.
• Mesquite pods.
• Paloverde seeds.
• Juniper berries.
• Pinyon pine nuts.
• Wolfberries.
• Agave.
• Various mushrooms.

Some desert plants have lookalikes or toxic parts. Always identify and forage responsibly, respecting the limits on National Forest and BLM lands.

What is the golden rule of foraging?

There are many rules to follow when you go foraging, but one rule many advise others to follow is never eat a wild plant or mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identity.

What is the rule of three in foraging?

“Take a third, leave a third, and leave no trace so that the third you don’t see or find continues to thrive,” said Dechter.

This ensures the plant or mushroom population can keep regenerating, wildlife still has food and habitat, and other foragers have their share too.

“Take some and leave some, or take only what you can use,” said Dechter.

Are there any illegal plants you can’t forage?

Yes, there are several plants you cannot legally forage, either because they’re protected species, culturally significant or regulated under federal/state law.

According to Mohave County, most native desert plants fall into one of five groups specially protected from theft, vandalism, or unnecessary destruction by Arizona‘s Native Plant Law. This includes all of the cacti, exotic plants like ocotillo, most of the trees such as ironwood, palo verde, mesquite and many smaller plants.

“Any collection of plants or fungi that are protected under the Endangered Species Act or where posted for no entry or collection is illegal,” said Dechter.

What are the most common plants people forage?

The most common plants people forage, depending on the region, tend to be the ones that are abundant, safe and versatile in cooking or medicine. Wild garlic, onions and chives, wild mustard, and any type of berry, such as blackberries, mulberries, blueberries and raspberries are all used for cooking.

Mushrooms are also very popular and many forage morels, chanterelles and oyster mushrooms. Nuts, seeds and pods such as walnuts, pine nuts and even pine cones.

Where is the best place to forage?

The “best” place to forage really depends on what you’re after and where you live. Many have success in finding herbs, greens and fruiting shrubs near seasonal streams or rivers. Coconino National Forest and Coronado National Forest are the best places to find berries, seeds and nuts.

Sometimes the most fruitful foraging spots are private ranches, farms or backyards.

“Where there are bountiful resources away from areas with applied herbicides and pesticides. Foragers will often visit different places at different times of year to forage a plant or mushroom when it is fruiting abundantly,” said Dechter.

How to forage for beginners?

To start foraging, study a few easy-to-identify plants first. Only take what you’ll actually use and never strip an area bare. Avoid plants near roadsides, polluted water or sprayed areas.

Foraging is less about a free grocery store in the wild and more about building a relationship with the land.

“The best way to learn is to go out and give it a try. Don’t eat anything unless you are 100% certain of identification,” said Dechter.

What does a forager need?

Dechter mentions that most foraging requires only a bag or bags to hold foraged items in. Gloves and a field guide could also be helpful for first-timers.

“For mushroom hunting, it is helpful to have a knife to cut mushrooms. A brush to brush off any dirt and a non-plastic bag or basket,” he said.

Dechter also reminded foragers to only take what they can use, rather than letting it rot in the fridge.

Does foraging still exist today?

Yes, foraging still exists today and it’s thriving in many communities. Across the country, including Arizona, there are numerous local foraging groups, clubs and workshops where people come together to learn about edible plants, mushrooms and wild foods. These groups often organize guided hikes, share tips on sustainable harvesting and teach newcomers how to identify safe plants.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What is foraging? Not just a fairy tale fantasy. How to get started in Arizona

Reporting by Tiffany Acosta, Arizona Republic / Arizona Republic