Madison, In. — Local forager, Kristen Giesting, will discuss common wild edible plants and where to find them on Monday, May 6. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Madison – Jefferson County Public Library in Madison, IN. From the forests and fields to weedy gardens and landscaping, wild foods surround us in quiet abundance. Kristen will describe wild greens, fruits, and nuts and other wild foods. Kristen will also give details on how to get started in foraging, as well as book suggestions and resources for further learning. Kristen’s appreciation for wild plants began in early 2014; learning to forage opened an entirely new way of seeing the world and inspired her to complete a master’s thesis on the topic in 2016. Each year, she continues to learn new plants and preparation techniques, and is always striving to increase the amount of wild food in her diet. In December 2018, she spent 9 days eating 100% wild foods, most of which she collected herself. Kristen has given foraging lectures and hikes for numerous local groups.
The Big Oaks Conservation Society (BOCS) is the non-profit support group of the Big Oaks NWR. Society members work closely with refuge staff to enhance public awareness, use, and appreciation for the natural and cultural assets unique to Big Oaks NWR. The Society currently maintains and manages Old Timbers Lodge, a beautiful historic structure nestled on a bluff overlooking Graham Creek on the northern portion of the property. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. usually at the Madison- Jefferson County Public Library in Madison, Indiana.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) consists of approximately 50,000 acres on the former Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG) located in Jennings, Ripley, and Jefferson Counties in southeastern Indiana. The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provides public use opportunities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental education. The refuge has one of the largest contiguous forest blocks in the southeastern part of the state as well as one of the largest grassland complexes in the state, both of which provide wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities to refuge visitors.
