Conscientious Foraging

Rachel embraces conscientious foraging techniques when she gathers wild plants from the Southwest landscape. Harvesting plants can be beneficial to both people and ecosystems, but it must be done correctly and thoughtfully.

 Rachel recognizes the delicate balance of her work. While incorporating regional plants into her products is an integral part of her philosophy, she also recognizes the important role each species plays in any given ecosystem. If a particular plant species is harvested incorrectly, it is not only detrimental to that species, but to all that depend on it. 

This is why Rachel enters the landscape on its terms. When she intentionally forages for a particular plant species, she always sits with the plants and asks permission. A part of Rachel’s foraging ritual involves asking the following questions:

Is it true?

Can she positively identify the plant?

Is it kind?

Is there enough of a particular plant species to harvest it?

Can the species continue and reproduce if harvested?

Will the harvest have a positive effect on the landscape?

Is it necessary?

Will this plant species be used?

 If the plants give Rachel permission to gather, she does so in a thoughtful manner and always from a place of respect. She recognizes the gifts, on many levels, these plants are giving. As thanks, Rachel always leaves an offering. 

 It is also important to note that Rachel never gathers plants from her beloved home landscape, Grand Canyon National Park.