Boston Flora

Tag: Russ Cohen

  • Monday, March 21, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Water: When is Enough Not Enough?

    Massachusetts is blessed with relatively abundant precipitation (an average of 45 inches each year) leading many residents to the erroneous belief that there’s plenty of “surplus” water available for human consumption at any time and for any purpose. Russ Cohen of the Mass. Department of Ecological Restoration clues us in to why our water resources can at times be insufficient to support our aquatic ecosystem, how human activities – both historically and today – adversely affected our river and stream systems, and what potential solutions are available to mitigate these impacts.  This event on Monday, March 21, the March meeting of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, is co-sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, the Boston Junior League Garden Club, the New England Wild Flower Society, and the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture.  Garden Club members will receive a written notice of this meeting, along with car pool information to the Wellesley College Botanic Garden, where the event will take place.  The meeting, however, is also open to the public for a small fee ($10 if a member of the Arnold Arboretum, NEWFS or WCFH, $15 if a non-member). Registration may be accomplished at http://www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.

  • Tuesday, July 27, 6:30 pm – Wild Harvest: Foraging Food from Fields and Forests

    Enjoy nature’s harvest without fussing with plant pots, grow lamps and watering. Join plant enthusiast and past Garden Club of the Back Bay speaker Russ Cohen for a workshop including how to identify, collect and prepare food from the wild.

    Did you know that New England is home to over 150 species of edible wild plants and dozens of species of edible mushrooms? What about the reported fact that many are more nutritious and flavorful than their cultivated counterparts? If this is news to you, then you must plan to join Slow Foods Boston and  The Appalachian Mountain Club at 4 Joy Street in Beacon Hill on Tuesday, July 27th at 6:30pm for a little enlightening.

    Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, will present a 90-minute slide show and question and answer period. He will cover over 70(!!) of the tastiest species the region has to offer. These range from plants you know well, like Daisies and Dandelions, to plants that you may never have even heard of, like Calamus and Carrion Flower.

    He’ll include information on about a dozen of the tastiest (and easiest to recognize) mushroom species, from Morels in the spring, Black Chanterelles (below) in the summer and Hen of the Woods mushrooms in the fall.

    Information covered will include identification tips, edible portions, seasons of availability and preparation methods, along with general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. And just ‘cuz we’re special, Russ promises to bring along a foraged goodie or two to taste!

    Cost for the evening’s presentation is only $5, and pre-registration is appreciated at www.slowfoodboston.com. Many thanks to our co-hosts, the Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Young Members Committee.

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  • Saturday, May 22, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Wild Harvest: Foraging Food from Fields and Forests

    Enjoy nature’s harvest without fussing with plant pots, grow lamps and watering. Join plant enthusiast and past Garden Club of the Back Bay speaker Russ Cohen for a workshop including how to identify, collect and prepare food from the wild. His Berkshire Botanical Garden program focuses on plants that people are “likely to encounter”, highlighting edible natives, but also yummy weeds and invasive species. Following the presentation, take a field trip in search of wild edible plants. Learn where and when to find tasty plants in the wild as well as native edible species you might want to plant in your yard. Finally learn how to prepare the wild harvest and nibble on some wild treats.

    Russ Cohen is a professional environmentalist and wild food enthusiast. He leads classes for the Trustees of Reservations, Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He is the author of the popular book Wild Plants I Have Known…..and Eaten.

    This May 22 workshop and field study program will begin at 1 pm at Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, West Stockbridge, and from there you will carpool to selected sites.  $35 for BBG members, $45 for non members.  You may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926, or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Blackberry_fruits10.jpg/300px-Blackberry_fruits10.jpg

  • Saturday, July 11, 2 – 5 pm – Foraging for Wild Edibles with Russ Cohen

    Set along the shores of a 200-acre lake, Tully Lake Campground in Royalston offers modern conveniences and superb recreational opportunities in a beautiful natural setting. Paddle around Tully Lake or take a day trip to nearby waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Or explore miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, including the 22-mile Tully Trail. For any outdoor adventure Tully Lake is your close to home wilderness getaway! The Tully region is home to more than 100 species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. Join author and expert forager Russ Cohen on Saturday, July 11, from 2 – 5,  for a Trustees of Reservations  ramble in and around the Tully Campground to learn about at least two-dozen species of edible wild plants.  Free program, but pre-registration requested.  Telephone 978-249-4957, or email central@ttor.org.