National Walking Day

Hey Happy National Walking Day! What better way to celebrate the holiday than with a stroll through your nearest forest? If conditions are right in your area, and you know where to look, you might even spot some wild mushrooms. If you’ve never gone foraging for mushrooms before, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With some tips from this article, a keen eye, and something to collect them, you may be coming home to a wild-foraged dinner after your stroll, and either way you’ll get some relaxing time spent in nature.

1. Know where to go

Seasoned mushroom hunters have spots they like to revisit year after year. Sometimes that means simply returning to the same general location, and sometimes it means checking a very precise location, under a specific tree by a particular creek crossing, for example. Check your local mycology and mushroom hunter groups for good spots near you, and make sure you verify that foraging is legal in your intended destination.

2. Eyes to the ground

It seems like a no-brainer, but spotting mushrooms growing in the wild can be trickier than it seems. It’s not uncommon to completely miss a patch of mushrooms growing that someone else spots right away. If you’re hunting for a particular species of mushrooms, such as hen of the woods, oyster, or morels, make sure you know what they look like and what kind of environment they typically grow in before you head out.

3. Help protect mushrooms in your area

Although foraging wild mushrooms is a great way to eat a delicious, sustainable meal, it’s also important that mushrooms not be over-foraged. These creatures, like any other, are sensitive to overharvesting. You don’t have to pick every mushroom you see, in other words.

Beyond that, consult with local mushroom enthusiast groups or social media pages. If you happen to know a local expert, they’re probably your best source of insider information. Where will you go and what will you be doing this National Walking Day? Enjoy the walk and let us know how you did!