Pennsylvania Foods: Foraging Over Time

First program in the 3-part lecture series, Penn’s Woods Over Time. Presented by Dr. David Foster, Professor of Biology & Environmental Science, Messiah College (photo).

A local author and forager, Foster spent over a year and a half living outside, and has studied the plants of the world from Pennsylvania to Washington state, Alaska, Florida and the desert Southwest as well as New Zealand, South and Central America.

With more than 20 years experience in our forests, Foster will present a sensory journey of these memorable plants, and discuss their ecology today.

“Can you survive in the wild?” Foster said. “Learn about how native peoples identified and used wild edible and medicinal plants.”

Audience members will have a chance to sample some of the plants that were foraged long ago for a variety of uses. 

“This is a hands on, taste, touch, see demonstration,” Foster said. “Come and experience how native people used the plants of Pennsylvania forests for food, fiber and medicine.”

Signed copies of Foster’s two books, Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants, and Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants, will be available for $25 each, with the profit donated to Renfrew Institute.

What are Penn’s Woods? In 1681, William Penn was granted a charter by King Charles II of England to establish a colony in the New World. Penn referred to the land as “Sylvania” (woods or forest in Latin). King Charles added “Penn” to the title in honor of Admiral Sir William Penn, William Penn’s father. Thus, Pennsylvania means Penn’s Woods.

Foster earned his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. His areas of specialty include plant ecology, ethnobotany, and environmental ethics.

Check out the flier for details on the Penn’s Woods Over Time lecture series.