Foraging has become an increasingly popular hobby over the past decade. Ever since the isolated doldrums of the global pandemic in 2020, more people than ever have started to practice this perfect excuse to go outside and chill out!

Whether you intend to get serious about things, or you’re just looking for a stress-free pastime, foraging is not at all difficult to get the hang of. From inner cities to the most rural woodlands, there exists an endless variety of edible/usable species of plants, animals, and fungi in every direction.

The Outer Banks is certainly no exception, as we have many different species that can be used as foods, medicines, and more.

Of course, before you start eating random berries or grabbing bunches of leaves to treat your sunburn, you will need to do a little bit of research before you can hit the forest running.

there in the ocean are plenty of other gatherable edibles that tend to get overlooked. The Coquina clam, whelk, and even the sand crabs are commonly eaten food sources. On marsh grass, tiny snails called periwinkles can be found; in the less salty sound waters, there are Rangia clams.

Plenty of plant species reside on or near our beaches as well. Sea lettuce, beach bean vine, and even cattails are just a few examples of potential culinary ingredients that could end up in a soup, salad, or stir-fry.

Move inland a bit, and you will spot things like prickly pear cactus, shadbush berries, beach beans, and chickweed. From the dunes to the maritime forests and everywhere between, foragers can find all sorts of edibles. There are elderberries, mulberries, and fruits- like persimmons and Paw Paw. Glasswort is a bright green plant that tastes like a salty water chestnut. Even in a residential neighborhood, one might come across a Yaupon Holly bush used as a hedge. The leaves and twigs of this plant have been used for thousands of years, dating back to the Native Americans who made tea with it. Yaupon happens to be the only North American plant that contains caffeine.

The mushroom season will begin as we head into the warmer Spring season. Mushroom foraging should be done with an expert to help with identification, as there are many more toxic mushrooms than edible ones. However, foragers can still find some very choice edible mushrooms that are unique enough to be more easily identified. Chanterelles, Hen-of-the-Woods, Lion’s Mane, and Oyster mushrooms are a few examples of potential, edible Outer Banks ‘shrooms.

Most people who give foraging a try don’t end up as hardcore as those on the state-certified mushroom hunter end of the foraging spectrum. It is, however, a pretty sweet feeling when you can look at a specific type of plant and be confident that you can eat it. Or safely use it to soothe an upset stomach. Unfortunately, our society tends to be pretty out of touch with nature these days. So when we get to use an experience like foraging to reconnect, even if it’s only in small doses: it can be a surprisingly addictive experience. Thankfully, nature is a healthy thing to be dependent on.