Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Urbane Forager
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the Urbane Forager book - now availableHi Everyone
The Urbane Forager book (ISBN-13: 978-1785073007) has just been released, and is now available internationally through all normal outlets.
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Urbane-Forager-Fruit-Nuts-Free/dp/1785073001/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435137423&sr=1-1&keywords=urbane+forager).
We are still continuing to work with our blog and mapping resources and hope this book will really enable anyone to bring the simple message of free fruit abundance into their lives.
I have put a page up on our blog http://theurbaneforager.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-new-urbane-forager-book.html
Keep up the good work.
Best regards
Alan Gibson
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dpack
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hello,what an interesting project even if it means i have to get up earlier
i hope it does encourage folk to forage because foragers are good conservators
good luck
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Mistress Rose
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I am a little concerned that with a combination of your book and the mapping programme some areas will be completely picked out. I hope that won't happen, but sadly, give information to people who don't really understand the countryside, and you can get a feeding frenzy.
From what you posted, it looks good otherwise.
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Urbane Forager
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Hi
In my experience, most people can't actually be bothered and would rather go to the shops
However we do aim to enable those who want to but don't know how.
The main aim is to get kids (and adults) outdoors more and interacting with their environment as a way of ultimately protecting it.
Believe me, there will be no stripped earth as a result of this book, my favourite trees still have plenty of apples on them, but hopefully people will enjoy the read.
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dpack
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the same thing applies to the likes of mr mears bushcraft stuff,lots of folk like the telly and books but are unlikely to try to eat briony roots or wade about in a mangrove swamp full of salties:lol:
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Falstaff
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I think you miss Mistress Rose's point here - mr Mears does not publish a map, giving the specific locations of individual fruit trees or individual Burdock plants.
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dpack
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no but mentioning say sorrel as very nice in tarts could lead to "commercial"forage to feed a restaurant market much like the minibus sized crews that strip every fungi for the "expert"to sort later
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Mistress Rose
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We had some people cut about 4 sq m of wild garlic this year. Luckily cut rather than dug, which has happened in the past. Some places like the New Forest are denuded of fungi every year, so they will die out. As you say Falstaff, it is the map rather than the information that is the danger.
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Urbane Forager
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You do need to remember that my book and my coordinates are only of fruit & nut trees.
They are all on public land and therefore OK for people to pick from
I can't imagine anyone digging up huge trees or causing any harm.
I do not do fungi or mushrooms as this project is primarily aimed at getting kids involved.
Everything is easy to recognise - I do supply seasonal id sheets in the book too.
We pick Cherries, Plums, Blackberries, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Apples, Pears, Chestnuts and Sloes mainly. There is plenty to go around, and plenty will be left for nature. I do not predict any rape of the land.
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Falstaff
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............We pick Cherries, Plums, Blackberries, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Apples, Pears, Chestnuts and Sloes mainly................ |
Well as far as I'm concerned, you can pretty much forget "Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Pears, Chestnuts And probably "Apples" "
Which leaves you with rather a paucity of fodder for the "Children" you are "Trying to educate" in how to produce alcohol !
As for "Public land", I'm wondering whether Highways Agency Land (the road adjacent to Southampton Airport) is suitable for gangs of "foragers" intent on picking apples to produce their own cider ?
If a few of them get theirselves "run-over" I suppose you are ready to explain how your recommendations for them to go and pick this "FREE fruit" is disconnected from the deaths ?
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Pilsbury
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Don't be ridiculous, anyone out doing anything on public land and roads are responsible for their own safety be that climing trees, walking down the street or foraging.
Just becausexaomeonectells you where there is an Apple tree doesn't make thst person responsible for your health and safety precautions or what happens while your there....
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Nick
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Don't rise to it. You're feeding the troll.
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Pilsbury
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Lol well even trolls like to forage sometimes, no harm in a bit of free food every now and again.
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Mistress Rose
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I think the book looks good, but it is the map I am concerned about. Perhaps slightly different, but we have had problems with geo-cachers putting up routes through the wood without permission and causing damage. Because they are following a route, or going to a spot, they seem oblivious of everything else around them, so are quite happy to tread on all sorts of other plants to get to what they are aiming for.
I have no problem with people picking blackberries or raspberries in the wood, as long as they don't do any damage, but sadly some do.
Urbane Forager, I think it would be as well to investigate any restrictions on the 'public land' that you are covering, as some areas will have by-laws preventing certain activities. I know for instance, that if I want to arrange a walk for a group in our country park, I have to inform the Park Manager first with approximate numbers, who the group are etc., and as I know some restrictions are placed on foraging fungi, some may have other restrictions too.
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Urbane Forager
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Don't be ridiculous, anyone out doing anything on public land and roads are responsible for their own safety be that climing trees, walking down the street or foraging.
Just becausexaomeonectells you where there is an Apple tree doesn't make thst person responsible for your health and safety precautions or what happens while your there.... |
if they are near roads it's most likely to be drivers and passengers chucking cores out the window.
I know the A406 and M11 are abundant in Apple trees as well as a few pear
But is that not Highway property ,not common land?
No wonder the same does`nt happen in Wales,the verges get flayled to an inch of their lives.
Mistress Rose
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Changing the subject slightly, ours did until this year too Ty Gwyn. This year they have left the stuff at the back down our road and there are loads of purple orchids in flower. Sadly they have also left the grass on some roundabouts so you can't see approaching traffic. A bit of common sense might be in order there I think, although husband says that is in short supply where that sort of thing is concerned.
As for apple and other trees, some round here have been planted and some are wildings. One outside our house between us and the main road was planted, but we have at least 1 in the wood that is a wilding. Am keeping an eye on the Mirabelle plum down the road. Currently it is dropping unripe plums, but looking forward to them being ripe. The ones along the main road have been flailed on our side, so no plums, but not sure I would want many from that source anyway.
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Shan
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Don't be ridiculous, anyone out doing anything on public land and roads are responsible for their own safety be that climing trees, walking down the street or foraging.
Just becausexaomeonectells you where there is an Apple tree doesn't make thst person responsible for your health and safety precautions or what happens while your there.... |
Totally agree, for starters the trees indicated above were nothing to do with me. The map I use is public and free access, anyone can use it.
Secondly I do not put everything I find/know on the map, that would be impossible. I do not put hazel on for instance because it is too common, likewise Elder or blackberries. Nor do Indicate anything that might upset people living nearby. I also don't show my favourite places, simply because I don't want to, and also people need to learn how to look for themselves, if they want.
I do produce cider and country wine, and yes my kids help me. I drink my cider and the kids drink the apple juice which I pasteurise. Nothing wrong with any of that as far as I can see. It is a chemistry/biology lesson
There are lots of walnut and apple trees in Southampton and else where, if you know where to look. Buy the book and you may learn how to locate them
My kids and I gathered over 200 kgs of apples last year all from common ground, none by he airport.
I encourage my kids to climb safely and assess danger in their environment, important lessons as most reasonable people would agree
Well done for your efforts.
PS Looks like you have discovered two of Downsizer's favourite activities: Nitpicking and playing the 'what if' game where the world comes to an end because someone somewhere might tread on an ant.
Nick
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Even tho he's done nothing to you?
(You'll end up black and blue.)
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Shan
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I already am. Tripped over a pallet. Ant got its divine justice.
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dpack
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i can see both sides of the debate re the map thing
perhaps the best option is to encourage folk to make their own forage map as they learn what is where and when in their areas.
i have a mental forage calender/map of quite a few places any of which could feed me and probably a few chums.
would a chapter on taking mental and/or written notes of times and places to produce a guide to your own local habitats be a good alternative to directing a lot of folk to a few locations.?
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