Geography Commons^™

Urban Non-Timber Forest Products Stewardship Practices Among Foragers In Seattle, Washington (Usa), Rebecca J. Mclain, Melissa R. Poe, Lauren S. Urgenson, Dale Blahna, Lita P. Buttolph

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our research seeks to expand the concept of urban environmental stewardship to include the everyday stewardship practices of urban nontimber forest products foragers. Ethnographic data from 58 urban foragers and 18 land stewards in the city of Seattle (USA) revealed that foragers reported using a variety of practices to enhance and minimize negative desirable species and their habitats. Many of these practices were identical to those practiced by restoration volunteers in formal programs and align with Seattle Parks Department management objectives. Foragers actively sought to learn more about what practices are sustainable; many mentored others in sustainable harvesting practices. Most …