Sweet Foraging Adventure at Denny Falls with CAF and the Sightline Institute
Last week, Climate Action Families (CAF) teamed up with the Sightline Institute for a delightful berry foraging expedition at Denny Falls. Led by Grace, our enthusiastic board chair, the outing was a perfect blend of education, adventure, and community connection. We were blessed with the sun shining and just barely crisp air.
We were very privileged to walk in the ancestral lands of the Snoqualmie, Tulalip, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribal nations. Their stewardship and care for these lands are what made them so bountiful and wondrous to explore.
Berries Galore, Right from the Start!
Our adventure kicked off right in the parking lot, where we were greeted by an abundance of native berries. It’s not every day you can start foraging before even hitting the trail! Grace introduced us to various native plants, including some special additions from her own garden, giving us a taste of both the wild and the cultivated.
Ones of CAF’s youngest members, Bernie, enlisted Sightline’s Executive Director, Alan Durning, in filing her basket with thimbleberries. The berries mysterious vanished within moments, causing some to wonder if these weren’t magical berries… Allie (12), shared her own expertise on the trail, pointing the young children to yummy berries.
LA Berry List to Remember
For those who are curious or want to prepare for their own foraging adventures, here’s a rundown of the berries we encountered:
Thimbleberry / Rubus parviflorus / sɬəɬaq
Salmonberry / Rubus spectabilis / stəgʷad
Blackcap raspberry (not ripe) / Rubus leucodermis/ q̓ʷələstab
Bunchberry (not ripe) / Cornus canadensis /
Mountain Huckleberry (blueberry) / Vaccinium membranaceum / swədaʔx̌
Oval-leafed blueberry / Vaccinium ovalifolium / swədaʔx̌
Red huckleberry (bush – no berries) / st̕ixʷib
Trailing blackberry / Rubus ursinus / gʷədbixʷ
Red Elderberry / considered toxic but utilized by indigenous peoples / sambucus racemosa /sc̓abt
Watermelon berry / Clasping Twisted Stalk (not ripe) /considered toxic but utilized by indigenous peoples / Streptopus amplexifolius
Toxic – Queens Cup – not fully ripe, but also not edible, though very pretty when they are at peak
Toxic – Devil’s Club – the berries have spines eve!n / Oplopanax horridus / sx̌ədiʔac
Safety First: A Note on Foraging
Foraging is a rewarding way to connect with nature, but it’s essential to know what’s safe to eat. If in doubt, don’t risk it! Poison Control is a great resource (1-800-222-1222) if you’re ever unsure about something you’ve consumed. Remember, not every part of a plant is edible, even if the berries are, so always check before you munch.
Looking Forward to More Adventures
The day ended with full hearts, if no full baskets🤣, and new friendships blossoming. We hope to continue building on the connections we made and look forward to future adventures with Sightline Institute and groups doing work integral to climate justice.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the beautiful land and its native stewards for making our day so special. Let’s continue to learn, grow, and explore together!
