April 18, 2015 Native Plants Program

On Saturday, April 18th, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association is sponsoring a “Native Plants” program at Spring Haven Nurseries in Newburg.  Spring Haven Nurseries owner, Dave Cornman will speak at 11:00 a.m. about “Propagating Plants.” Dr. Dave Foster, Messiah College Professor of Biology & Environmental Science, will speak at 1:00 p.m. on “Foraging in Our Forests.”  Spring Haven Nurseries specializes in native woodland plants and shade perennials grown either in propagation beds or in the gardens located there.  The nursery and gardens will be open for tours between 10:00 - 5:00.

The meeting is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. If possible, please carpool.  Parking is limited.  Participants should also plan to bring their own lawnchairs.  A simple lunch will be available from 12:00 to 1:00.  Donations will be accepted.  Spring Haven Nurseries (http://springhavennatives.com/) is located at 1362 Mountain Road in Newburg.

Dr. David K. Foster is the co-author of "Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants" and "Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants." He has studied the vegetation of the world from Pennsylvania to the Desert Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, the jungles of Belize and Guatemala, the tropical forests of Amazonian Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. His great love is the temperate forests from Wisconsin and Michigan to New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina.

The art of foraging for food is as old as mankind. What is now a hobby to some was a necessity for all people of historical hunter/gatherer societies.  Before the advent of agriculture and domesticated plants, food gathered from the forest was a sole means of survival. The increasing interest in edible wild plants in our woodlands and backyards may spring from our desire to better understand and in some ways return to nature. Whether in rural or suburban areas, there is an appeal of natural foods. 

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and the meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).