Woodland Trust Warns Foragers: Removing 'Hugely Important' Wildlife Food Sources

As of October 20th, 2025, the Woodland Trust is cautioning foragers against removing critical food sources for animals from nature reserves. The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust recently banned foraging on its properties, citing concerns that the practice can prevent fungi from releasing spores and deprive a "host of wild animals and even other fungi" of sustenance.

The rise of foraging, fueled in part by the popularity of wholesome social media accounts showcasing nature's edible offerings, has led to accusations that "middle-class foragers" without sufficient knowledge are putting the environment and their own health at risk. Experts, however, argue that foraging can be a positive way for people to reconnect with nature, provided they learn sustainable techniques from experienced guides.

Liam O'Brien, who leads foraging walks in Dorset, emphasizes the importance of responsible practices. "If they learn how to do things respectfully and sustainably and leave some for nature - the animals and the insects as well as other foragers - there's more than enough to go around," he says. The Woodland Trust's warning underscores the delicate balance between enjoying nature's bounty and preserving the ecosystems that sustain it.