EP 05: How To Be A Citizen Of The Natural World With Foraging Expert Laura Silverman

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Episode Length: 47:29

Laura Silverman is a writer, branding consultant, and Founding Naturalist of The Outside Institute, which aims to foster a greater connection between individuals and the natural world. Before creating The Outside Institute in 2017, Laura wrote Glutton for Life, which was a blog exploring Catskill living. She also regularly contributes to Edible Hudson Valley, The River Reporter and WJFF, and was a speaker (“On Foraging”) at Bitten 2018. Laura regularly hosts foraging 101 workshops as well as botanical mixology and woodland walks. She is the author of The Outside Institute’s Field Guides, which offer practical information about the flora and fauna of the Hudson and Upper Delaware Valleys.

Resources

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Show Notes

  • What foraging is and where it originated

  • Why it’s important to understand the total ecology of an area before you forage

  • How Laura got into foraging

  • A naturalist is a student of the natural world

  • Laura’s relationship with nature - from a childhood spent in Northern California to eventually moving to upstate NY

  • How to connect with the natural world even in the middle of a city

  • Is dumpster diving urban foraging?

  • The first rule of foraging: When in doubt, throw it out

  • Why having a mentor or consulting a field guide is so important

  • The Outside Institute’s Field Guides

  • Why you might not want to forage in the city

  • Laura’s passion for botanical mixology and why moving to upstate NY helped expand her skills in cooking and making cocktails

  • Making probiotic beverages from foraged flowers

  • What foraging has brought to Laura’s life

  • The healing benefits of comfrey for your bones

  • Why eating seasonally is the key to health

  • The Outside Institute - what it is and why Laura created it

  • Why getting outside helps us understand nature and understand ourselves

  • What Laura would say to someone who feels intimidated or overwhelmed by the natural world

  • Why plants and trees are documented to help with blood pressure and mood

  • All about Shinrin-Yoku - the Japanese practice of forest bathing

  • What gets Laura out of her house and into nature every single day

  • Where to find the Outside Institute on the interwebs

The Last Five Questions

  1. What is your favorite place in nature?

    The woods across the street from my house.

  2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?

    I love a black birch tree...It’s just a beautiful strong tree.

  3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?

    Take a walk in nature. Whether that’s in a city along a river or in a park, just allow yourself to relax and observe what’s around you and get a bit granular with these observations.

  4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?

    Every aspect of the human condition is mirrored in nature. Nature is so filled with metaphors. You can take any sorrow or trouble or worry into nature and find solace.

  5. Nature brings me…

    Joy.

Gratitude List

This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

episodesAlyssa Benjaminforaging, ecology, hudson valley, the last five questions