Spring Foraging Opportunities

 

We are entering our 21^st year of foraging and 10^th year of teaching in 2026, and would love to have you join us for a class, walk, or tasting! Many of our presentations at libraries are FREE to attend and feature all-original, award winning photos, our walks are for all ages and abilities, and our culinary background allows us to share delicious, homemade tastings from wild foraged ingredients. Sign up and bring a friend. We can arrange a private walk, presentation, or tasting for your group. We are also available for booking at libraries, nature centers, fish and game clubs and for garden club presentations, see our listing at https://programs.ctlibrarians.org/library-programer/karen-monger

 

April 18, 11:00 am, We will be giving a FREE presentation about Spring Wild Plant and Mushroom Foraging at the James L. Goodwin Forest Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd, Hampton, CT. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of spring, from invasive bamboo shoots to the lemony tang of fresh wood sorrel, including some of the early edible fungi of the season. Space may be limited, please register at  https://ctparks.com/events/edible-wild-plants-and-fungi-spring

April 29, 6:00pm, Thomaston CT. We will give a FREE presentation at the Thomaston, CT Public Library about the Edible Wild Plants and Mushrooms of Spring. Come enjoy a slideshow of all-original photos of the edible plants and early mushrooms of spring, along with preparation ideas for tasty dinners. Questions encouraged! Space may be limited, call 860-283-4339 to register.

 

May 9, 10:00 am, Early Spring Foraging Walk, Black Rock State Park, Watertown, CT. $25 per adult cash, Venmo, or Paypal day of the walk, we will watch the weather and heavy rain will cancel the walk. We will explore the property, an educational handout will be provided; you may take photos and notes. Location details will be shared to registrants by contacting Karen at the3foragers@gmail.com

May 16, 10:00-11:45 am, Spring Foraging Walk, Mixville Park, Cheshire, CT. $25 per adult cash, Venmo, or Paypal day of the walk. As the warmer temperatures and longer days of spring unfold, many tender, young edible shoots, plants, flowers, and even a few fungi awaken a forager’s senses and delight. We will explore the property, an educational handout will be provided; you may take photos and notes, and collect a few samples to bring home for study. Location details will be shared to registrants by contacting Karen at the3foragers@gmail.com

May 19, 10:00am, Private Event: Spring Foraging Walk

May 23, 10:00 am-12:30 pm, Early Spring Walk and TASTING, Columbia, CT. $30 per adult, cash, Venmo, or Paypal day of the walk. We will walk in this location for 90+ minutes exploring lots of fresh green shoots, flowers, roots, and early spring mushrooms, and conclude the walk with a tasting of 5 prepared menu items. Every tasting is different and is truly seasonal, featuring several of the items you will have just identified. An educational handout and menu will be provided; you may take photos and notes, as well as some specimens to bring home to study. Location details will be shared to registrants by contacting Karen at the3foragers@gmail.com

May 30, 10:00 am, Spring Foraging Walk, New Pond Farm Educational Center, Redding, CT. Cost is $10 per member and $15 per non-member, space is limited. Please register at https://newpondfarm.org/events/spring-foraging-walk_2026/

June 6, Private Walk and Tasting

June 13, 10:00am-12:30 pm, Early Summer Foraging Presentation, Walk, and Tasting, Flanders Nature Center, Woodbury, CT. We will be presenting the Summer Plant and Mushroom Foraging slideshow at the Sugar House located at 48 Church Hill Rd, followed with a walk in the woods, and finished with a live cooking and tasting demo. Please contact Flanders directly to register and ask about fess at flanders@flandersnaturecenter.org

 June 18, 6:00 pm, Canterbury, CT. We will present a FREE slideshow about Summer Plant and Mushroom Foraging  at the Canterbury Public Library, 1 Municipal Dr. Summer berries, greens, abundant mushrooms, and foraging at the seashore are covered. Space may be limited, please call 860-546-9022 to register.

 

Upcoming Events, Spring 2026

 

We are entering our 21^st year of foraging and 10^th year of teaching in 2026, and would love to have you join us for a class, walk, or tasting! Many of our presentations at libraries are FREE to attend and feature all-original, award winning photos, our walks are for all ages and abilities, and our culinary background allows us to share delicious, homemade tastings from wild foraged ingredients. Sign up and bring a friend, get on our email list the3foragers@gmail.com 

We can arrange a private walk, presentation, or tasting for your group. We are also available for booking at libraries, nature centers, fish and game clubs and for garden club presentations, see our listing at https://programs.ctlibrarians.org/library-programer/karen-monger

 

March 15, 10:00 am The Connecticut Valley Mycological Society will be holding FREE lecture, open to the public, at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area building. This is part of my mushroom club’s annual indoor meeting, come chat with some club members and inquire about membership—CVMS celebrated their 50^th year as a non-profit educational entity in 2025. No need to register, stop in around 9:30 am to grab a seat. Our speaker will be Professor Richard Tehan, Title: Cordyceps of North America: The Ubiquitous and the Rare.

April 18, 11:00 am, We will be giving a FREE presentation about Spring Wild Plant and Mushroom Foraging at the James L. Goodwin Forest Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd, Hampton, CT. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of spring, from invasive bamboo shoots to the lemony tang of fresh wood sorrel, including some of the early edible fungi of the season. Space may be limited, give them a call to register at 860-455-9534.

 May 16, 10:00-11:45 am, Early Spring Foraging Walk, Cheshire, CT. $25 per adult cash, Venmo, or Paypal day of the walk. As the warmer temperatures and longer days of spring unfold, many tender, young edible shoots, plants, flowers, and even a few fungi awaken a forager’s senses and delight. We will explore the property, an educational handout will be provided; you may take photos and notes, and collect a few samples to bring home for study. Location details will be shared to registrants by contacting Karen at the3foragers@gmail.com

 

May 23, 10:00 am-12:30 pm, Early Spring Walk and TASTING, Columbia, CT. $30 per adult, cash, Venmo, or Paypal day of the walk. We will walk in this location for 90+ minutes exploring lots of fresh green shoots, flowers, roots, and early spring mushrooms, and conclude the walk with a tasting of 5 prepared menu items. Every tasting is different and is truly seasonal, featuring several of the items you will have just identified. An educational handout and menu will be provided; you may take photos and notes, as well as some specimens to bring home to study. Location details will be shared to registrants by contacting Karen at the3foragers@gmail.com

May 30, 10:00 am, Early Spring Foraging Walk, New Pond Farm Educational Center, Redding, CT. More information is coming for this collaborative walk.

 

Foraging Education Opportunities for late September and October

 

Thank you for your interest in foraging. This is a list of presentations and walks through September. Please understand that we need at least 15 people to register for our tastings, please help to spread the word! We do not approach or solicit your libraries or clubs for classes, but they can contact us at this email address to book an event of their own. Our prices are set to cover our material expenses and travel. You or your group can view my public presenter’s catalog at https://programs.ctlibrarians.org/library-programer/karen-monger

September 23, 6:00 pm, Rocky Hill Public Library, 33 Church St. Autumn is a time of bounty and harvest for woodland creatures and foragers alike: nuts are falling to the forest floor, fruits are ripening and scenting the crisp fall air, roots and tubers are thickening up in anticipation of sustaining the plants through the tough winter, and edible fungi can be found in astounding amounts. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of autumn, from acorns through minty wintergreen leaves, including golden honey mushrooms and maitake, the “dancing mushroom”. Edible Plants and Fungi of Autumn, a FREE presentation, register at https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=3884&EventID=561545&PK=

 September 27, 10:00 am, Colchester, CT. Autumn Foraging Walk and Wild Food Tasting. This is a favorite location for wild edible greens, berries, nuts, and mushrooms. An educational handout will be provided and we will discuss foraging safety, harvesting ethics, identifications, and cooking suggestions as we ramble slowly on mostly easy terrain for 90 minutes. At the conclusion, we will share a tasting of foods made from foraged goodies that we have prepared. The location will be emailed to folks the night before the walk who have registered at the3foragers@gmail.com as we will be watching the weather (hard rain will cancel, light drizzle is fine.)  Cost will be $30 per adult, kids under 16 are free. Payment is collected on the day of the walk, Venmo, PayPal, or cash preferred.

September 28, 1:30 pm. Private walk, Vernon Friends of Valley Falls

September 30, 3-6 pm. Private walk, Yale Office of International Student Studies

October 4, 10:00 am, Hurd State Park, 250 Middle Haddam Rd, East Hampton, CT. FREE Autumn Foraging Walk with an experienced forager. We will utilize this state park as an outdoor-hands-on classroom to explore the edible plants and mushrooms of autumn. State regulations do not allow for foraging, so we will only be discussing what we find. Bring along a camera, notebook, sturdy shoes, a bottle of water, and your curiosity! We will meet at the Picnic Pavilion and walk near water and through the forest for 90+ minutes, or until we are tired, depending on what we can find. No need to register, but a heads-up note at the3foragers@gmail.com is appreciated for attendance expectations. https://ctparks.com/media/530/download?inline

October 14, 10:00 am, Private Walk, Black Rock Garden Club

October 15, 5:30 pm, Otis Public Library, 261 Main St, Norwich, CT. We present our FREE original photo slideshow of the Edible Wild Plants and Fungi of Autumn, while also providing a handout and bring along specimens to examine. Autumn is a time to collect nuts, berries, some greens, and for digging edible roots, and the wild mushrooms are spectacular and delicious. As always, we pride some tasty nibbles for you to experience the wild. Register at https://otislibrarynorwich.libcal.com/event/14995353

October 16, 6:00 pm, Brookfield Public Library, 182 Whisconier Rd. Another FREE presentation of Edible Wild Plants and Fungi of Autumn where we cover the edible nuts, roots, berries, greens, and wild mushrooms of the autumn months. An educational handout will be provided. . Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of autumn, from acorns through minty wintergreen leaves, including golden honey mushrooms and maitake, the “dancing mushroom”. Please register at https://brookfieldlib.librarycalendar.com/event/edible-wild-plants-and-fungi-autumn-27259

 

October 18, 10:00 am, Pratt Nature Center, 163 Papermill Rd, New Milford, CT. We return to Pratt Nature Center for another super affordable and educational Foraging Walk and Tasting. We will walk this wonderful property and discuss any edible nuts, greens, berries, roots, or mushrooms we find and a handout will be provided. At the conclusion of this walk, we return to the picnic tables to feast on some forager-prepared wild dishes. Space is limited, $5.00 per human, please no dogs as there are animals living on the property. Registration is required at info@prattcenter.org

 

October 25, 10:00am, Cheshire, CT. Another of our original Foraging Walk and Tasting sessions, at a location in Cheshire, CT. We will take participants on a 90 minute ramble through this property and conclude with a feast we have prepared using wild foods including nuts, greens, berries, and wild mushrooms. You will leave with hands-on instruction, an educational handout, happy tastebuds, and a full belly. Please register at the3foragers@gmail.com and further information will be emailed to registered participants. We will watch the weather and heavy rain will cancel. Cost is $30.00 per person over 16, kids are free and welcome.

 

You can also find event listings at https://www.facebook.com/the3foragers/events

Find us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the3foragers/ or visit the free blog with recipes, https://the3foragers.blogspot.com/

For the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society, the local Connecticut mushroom club, visit http://www.cvmsfungi.org/