DiscoverNEPA is partnering with North Branch Land Trust, a nonprofit that conserves the natural, working and scenic landscapes of NEPA. They’ll provide conservation tips and give us a look at their protected lands. Learn how you can join NBLT and do your part to protect NEPA’s natural resources.
Creating with Nature
It’s that time of year when the leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and we begin hunkering down for the winter solstice. The changing of seasons brings us many beautiful natural gifts. It is a perfect time of year for one last harvest to bring nature indoors.
Foraging originally began by collecting food (and is still done to this day) to survive. Today, however, many people forage for arts and crafts, decorations, and sustainability as well. Creating artwork using natural products has become widely adopted and even encouraged. Andy Goldsworthy, a sculpture and painter, has become a viral sensation for his nature art, where he collects fallen leaves, rocks, sticks, and other natural items to create magnificent sculptures.
Taking advantage of the gifts of the season
Every season offers opportunities for vibrant natural beauty, however what you plan on collecting may depend on a specific time of year. Spring and summer produce a variety of greenery, flowers, berries, and mushrooms that can brighten a bouquet. Different types of mushrooms, nuts, and the leaves dropping off trees are forgeable during fall. Lastly, objects you can search for during winter include edible and decorative berries, wild greens, dramatic branches, and delicate seeds.
Foraged artwork can be completed on a large or small scale. Use leaves, twigs, and flowers as ‘paint brushes’ to compose a beautiful painting. Designing foraged decorations can become a family tradition. You can make garland using twine, evergreen leaves, pinecones, and even fruits or berries. For events or holidays, instead of purchasing plastic centerpieces, take a moment to walk through nature to forage different pinecones, leaves, and possibly flowers. You can use these collected objects to design a colorful centerpiece that may even bring in those wonderful natural scents during dining events. Foraging for arts and crafts and decorations can all be done sustainably.
Things to remember about foraging and its impact on the environment:
- Every property has its own rules and habitat sensitivities.
- Native animals rely on these plants and resources for food and shelter.
- Taking too much of a specific plant may damage its growth and reproduction.
- When foraging we don’t want to damage or destroy any ecosystems.
Foraging can be done alone, with family and friends, or even done with a group of new individuals. While foraging, take a moment to appreciate what our environment provides for us.
Forage Your Own Wreath
You can join North Branch Land Trust on Saturday, December 7th from 10:00am – 12:00 pm, to Forage Your Own Wreath. Staff will lead a walk through the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association’s Rimple Loop to talk about sustainable foraging and different types of evergreens. Participants will forage wreath elements (and you can bring your own) and NBLT will provide 16” evergreen wreath bases from a small local family business. Your very own foraged wreath can be as simple or intricate as you desire, making a perfect holiday gift or a welcoming symbol for your front door.
Harvesting your own materials to make a natural decorative wreath allows our participants to gather and use only the items picked to make their wreath, along with special ribbons or other décor they already own. Foraging objects found on the Rimple Loop, with educated staff, will allow partakers to learn the importance of sustainable foraging, ensuring that no ecosystems are damaged in the process by over consumption, warranting protection of these public lands.
