Finding spring wild edibles that are safe to consume was the subject of an identification session geared to help people forage in the wild.

Leading the class was Brandon Young of Marquette, who took participants on a May 30 walk on Presque Isle.

“My goal is, if you don’t have it, is to at least acquire a love and respect for nature, and if you already have one, to cultivate it and increase it,” Young said.

From May to November, he spends as much time as possible in the woods, focusing on meditation, nature and his son, Psi.

Brandon Young, left, of Marquette, talks about spring wild edibles at the Bog Walk on Presque Isle. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

“We get a little lunchbox and we bring some stuff that we’ve made, like some beef jerky or whatever, and go find a spot out in the woods and eat it,” Young said. “It’s really rewarding, whether it comes from the woods or wherever, to have something you’ve made and be able to eat it out in the woods.”

Dedication and a good memory are helpful when foraging in the woods, he said. One tangible item to bring along is a field guide, preferably with color pictures.

Of course, respect for nature is an important component in foraging.

“Before I turn a bunch of people loose in the woods, I’d want you to think of a few things,” Young said.

One of those things was what he called the “tragedy of the commons.”

That’s when one person takes a large amount of a resource, with fewer resources left for everybody else.

The concept goes for wildlife too.

“When I’m picking elderberries, I try to pick a third and leave the rest for the birds,” Young said. “So try to keep that in mind.”

My goal is, if you don’t have it, is to at least

acquire a love and respect for nature, and if you already have one, to cultivate it and increase it.

— Brandon Young, Marquette

He also cautioned against the dangers of harvesting poisonous plants.

“You might want to be really careful,” Young said. “Make sure you got it identified right.”

For example, wildwoodsurvival.com stresses people know the difference between Queen Anne’s lace and poison hemlock. The root of Queen Anne’s lace is edible, tasting and smelling like its nickname, wild carrot. The similar-looking poison hemlock, on the other hand, is deadly poisonous.

Some plants, like trilliums, shouldn’t be picked.

“You might want to be sure that something’s not on a protected list,” said Young, who also pointed out foragers should know if they’re looking for edibles on private property.

Even public property can be problematic. Young said that before his talk, he learned harvesting plants on Presque Isle isn’t allowed. So, his presentation was limited to simple identification only.

“Besides the goose poop, there’s some plantains here,” Young said. “Those can be used for bee stings.”

He’s used yarrow, a type of wildflower, for a toothache, which apparently worked for him; he said it numbed his mouth.

Young also talked about spruce gum, which is a chewing material made from the resin of spruce trees.

“It’s like chewing hard candy,” he said.

Young pointed to another familiar plant, one with four-sided stems that can be used to make tea: mint, which grows in the Presque Isle Bog.

Also growing in the bog is tag alder, which supposedly can be used for insect bites, he said.

Dennis Parent of Palmer was one of the participants on the walk. His goal — learning tips to harvest and grow food near his home — was the reason he took part in the session.

“I’m pretty much surrounded by the forest,” Parent said.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.