5 Virtual Wild Edible Tours
On The Housatonic River Walk in Great Barrington, MA
Enjoy these virtual tours of Housatonic River Walk with Russ Cohen, author of Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten. Russ focuses on native plants with ecological value to birds and pollinators that people can nibble on too.
The River Walk is a National Recreation Trail that is located adjacent to Great Barrington, MA’s Main Street, and offers a rare nature experience of river and wildlife views.
Part 1 Hazelnut, Linden Tree (Basswood) and Common Elderberry
Part 2 Spice Bush, Flowering Raspberry & Ostrich Fern
Part 3 Staghorn Sumac, Black Birch, Chokecherry & Hawthorn trees
Part 4 Knotweed & Dame’s Rocket – Invasive Plants That People Can Nibble On
Part 5 Hackberry, Wild Mint, Black Walnut, Butternut & Pineapple Weed
Housatonic Heritage has worked with the River Walk’s stewards to interpret several important stories along the Walk, including the William Stanley Overlook (first commercial AC electricty) and W.E.B. Du Bois River Park (world-renowned civil rights leader). The partners continue to promote the river’s significance to industrial and civil rights leaders of national and international importance.
The trail is cared for by Greenagers, a local youth organization dedicated to good stewardship, that is also supported in-part by Housatonic Heritage.
River Walk offers riverfront access in a densely populated setting, permitting pristine riparian areas to remain forever wild. Since 1988, 2900 community volunteers have contributed clean up, construction and maintenance, removing over 400 tons of debris, building the trail and planting thousands of native plants. Approximately 12,000 residents and tourists visit this popular downtown site yearly and experience simple methods of natural resource protection-native plant vegetative buffers, invasive-exotic plant control, bio-engineered riparian stabilization, local non-toxic trail materials, and non-point source pollution controls with raingardens, drop inlets, and permeable trail surfaces.
Hosted by Housatonic River Walk, a project of Great Barrington Land Conservancy
Sponsored by: Wild and Scenic Westfield River, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Great Barrington Land Conservancy
Proudly supported by and funded through Housatonic Heritage
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