An initiative that offers a useful solution for people who want to help their local ecosystem. In February, Michigan State University Extension released a report from the Michigan Sea Grant, a cooperative program focused on preserving and using the resources of the Great Lakes, which contain about one-fifth of the amount of fresh water on the planet’s surface.
In the paper, the grant argues that foraging could help reduce the negative impact of invasive species on the environment and perhaps avoid the need to use pest control methods with harmful chemicals.
Plants and animals can be introduced into new areas, intentionally or accidentally. When they do, they often cause problematic disruptions to the system’s protective balance, crowding out the native species that keep things running smoothly.
According to one study, invasive species cause nearly $20 billion in damage in the United States each year, with agriculture being the hardest hit sector. Although finding invasive species may seem like an unlikely solution, programs to add these species to our menus have been successful.
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For example, some restaurants have introduced wild boar to Americans with the help of their suppliers and the Department of Agriculture, which has testing facilities to ensure product safety.
Michigan Sea Grant denounces red crayfish for their aggressiveness and their role in potentially spreading disease and parasites to other organisms but also notes that they are a delicious ingredient in Recipes like gumbo and bisque.
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Other suggested eating options include butter-steamed carp and narrow-leaf cattail, with the program noting that “all parts of this plant are edible” if harvested correctly way.
However, as well as eating wild boar, foraging also requires a focus on safety and responsibility, as detailed in the grant, with partners including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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“It’s important to know exactly what you’re harvesting before you eat it,” the program emphasizes, also conveying MSU Extension’s identifying resources including the Do Not Choose Toxins Guide with Wild Mushrooms and the Will Forage for Food event Calendar.
“It is essential to be careful not to accidentally spread invasive species during harvesting: whatever you take must be safely contained and disposed of properly, and you must be sure that you do not spread seeds from your shopping cart, on your clothes, or the soles of your shoes.”
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