Berkshire County is home to over 80 species of edible wild plants, some of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. These include native species, like Hazelnut and Yellow Birch; non-native weeds, like Ox-eye Daisy and Plantain; and invasive species, like Garlic Mustard and Multifloral Rose.

Join Russ Cohen, author of the book Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, for a 3-hour BEAT-sponsored hike in the BNRC’s Alford Springs property to learn about at least two dozen species of edible wild plants. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with info on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods, as well as general guidelines for safe, ethical and environmentally-responsible foraging.

PLEASE NOTE: Our planned loop for the hike is somewhat strenuous, with substantial elevation gain and loss, so this walk is recommended only for fit participants with the proper hiking gear.

DATE: Sunday, June 8

TIME: 3:00 to 6:00 PM

LOCATION: Alford Spring Reserve, a Berkshire Natural Resources (BNRC) property – Father Loop Trailhead, Old Village Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230  |  Google Maps  (GPS 42.2482, -73.4458)

COST: Free

This walk has a participant limit. Registration is required. [CLICK HERE TO REGISTER]

Until his retirement in June of 2015, Russ Cohen’s “day job” was serving as the Rivers Advocate for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration, where one of his areas of expertise was in riparian vegetation. Now Russ has more time to pursue his passionate avocation, which is connecting to nature via his taste buds, and assisting others in doing the same. In addition to leading over three dozen wild edibles-themed walks and talks each year at a wide variety of venues throughout the Northeast, Russ has now taken on a role of Johnny Appleseed for edible native species. He has set up a small nursery (in Weston, MA) where he grows/keeps plants that he propagates from seed (some of which he collected himself). He is then collaborating with land trusts, cities and towns, schools and colleges, state and federal agencies, Tribal members and groups, organic farms and others to plant plants from his nursery in appropriate places on their properties. Russ has collaborated on over three dozen such projects in the past decade.