Global community foraging map
Field guide
Gather Atlas can show you where edible plants might be, but the decision to harvest is still yours. Good foraging is less about speed and more about slow, repeatable checks that reduce legal, health, and contamination risk.
If you are not sure about access, species, or site quality, do not collect. Walking away from a doubtful spot is part of responsible foraging.
1. Access first
Public-looking land is not always open-harvest land. Councils, parks, reserves, schools, community gardens, and private verges can all have different rules.
2. Identification
Never rely on one photo, one app result, or one similarity. Use multiple characteristics and, when needed, get confirmation from someone experienced.
3. Site quality
Busy roads, industrial edges, flood-prone ground, weed-spray programs, pet traffic, and dumping can all make a site unsuitable even when the plant itself looks healthy.
4. Mushrooms
Mushroom mistakes can cause severe poisoning. If there is any uncertainty about a wild mushroom, do not eat it. If someone becomes unwell after eating one, contact emergency or poison services immediately.
5. Harvest habit
Take lightly, avoid damaging branches or roots, stay off sensitive habitat, and leave enough behind for wildlife, regeneration, and the next person.
6. Food handling
Wash produce, remove damaged parts, and avoid eating anything that looks moldy, sprayed, contaminated, or uncertain. A legal spot can still be a bad food decision.
Official references