For the love of nature, forgo foraging in Cincy Parks

Let's talk about foraging. This is a popular topic around fall and spring, when all kinds of vegetation are growing and thriving, such as morels, paw paws, wildflowers and more. Foraging has gained popularity in recent years and many natural areas have seen an uptick in it. 

First off, let's clarify what foraging is. Foraging is the act of gathering wild food for free. Foragers normally do so in forests and the woods. 

What is Cincinnati Parks' stance on foraging? When people use our parks for foraging, our natural areas are no longer being conserved or enriched for all. If a natural element is removed from a park, other park goers will not have the opportunity to enjoy it. That is why according to Park Board Rules, "no person shall take, carry away, remove, dig, cut, disturb, molest, destroy, mar, or damage any soil or mineral substance or any form of vegetation whether living or dead, on park property." This supports our mission "to conserve, manage, sustain, and enhance the parks’ natural and cultural resources and public greenspace for the enjoyment, enlightenment, and enrichment of all citizens in the Cincinnati community." 

Cincinnati Parks staff have reported that foraging in our parks is on the rise and many areas are being affected. Where there are normally massive amounts of mushrooms or paw paw fruit on the ground, these past few years have seen a dramatic decrease in their presence. Not only does taking these resources affect other park goers, but it also affects the wildlife that live in our parks and forests and the ecosystem. If we want future generations to enjoy the resources we so luckily have, we must ask that you forgo the foraging. 

How can you find local, wild food elsewhere? Check out local markets. There are also places that allow foraging on private lands. Some State Parks allow foraging in state wildlife management areas, such as Wayne National Forest. There are lots of alternatives. 

If you are interested in foraging in permitted areas outside of Cincinnati Parks, keep these tips in mind:

• Know what you are looking for - purchase books that help guide you, so you don't get sick
• Use a mesh bag to forage - this allows spores of the mushrooms you collect to be spread throughout the forest as you continue your hunt
• Cut at the stem or only pick a couple of leaves - this gives the plant a chance to regrow
• Only forage 10% of the population you see so that it continues to populate and grow
• Do not forage endangered plants - American ginseng, ramps and others
• Use proper tools

When visiting Cincinnati Parks, remember that they are for the enjoyment of all. In order to fulfill this mission, foraging is not allowed. There are so many other ways to utilize our outdoor greenspaces and we encourage you to explore them.