Russ Cohen, celebrated local naturalist and wild foods enthusiast, will teach us about the snacks we can find in our own backyards- there’s more out there than you think! Russ will give a presentation about foraging and seeing a landscape with an eye for edibles. It’s a time of year when we enjoy the harvest from our gardens, but there’s more to enjoy right at our feet if we know how and where to look, and how to gather safely and respectfully. Some of Russ’s favorites include shagbark hickory, black walnut and beach plum, and we’ll be lucky enough to taste some of his recipes.
All attendees will receive a copy of Russ’s book, Wild Plants I have Known…and Eaten, which includes foraging tips and recipes, as part of their registration!
Passionate about maintaining and expanding our native edible landscape, Russ can often be found removing invasives and planting native edibles in their place. He is an authority on edible plants, maintaining a list of about 190 native plant species in Massachusetts and the Northeastern US, and has led walks and workshops for 50 years. He has consulted on plantings in National Heritage Areas and often proposes plantings that will maintain and enhance local habitats.