Vermont's Non-Timber Forest Products
Introduction
Across the world people rely on the natural environment around them for many things: food, medicine, crafts, shelter, etc. Although in the Western world we are quickly forgetting the importance of the natural resources that nature provides us with, many people still rely on nature for their basic necessities. Non-timber forest products are gathered all over the world, both to serve the individual, and to sell on a larger market. People from all walks of life gather NTFPs, from those just picking some berries on a hike for a snack to people who rely almost solely on these products for their food, medicine, or livelihood.
Much can be learned from these gatherers, because it is a great way to get closer to nature. They can teach us about sustainability and the preservation of the plants they work with. Even when gatherers use NTFPs to supply or supplement their income, thay are usually acutely aware of how much they can gather before they destroy a certain plant or even ecosystem. Thus, they are willing to sacrifice money in order to remain responsible stewards of the land. They know they have to treat nature well if they want to get the greatest benefits from it.
NTFPs are important for both their economic and cultural values. Because NTFPs are taken from nature itself, gathering can prove to be a great way to keep costs at bay because there is no need to pay the extra costs that come with getting the same product from a store. Also, gathering has important cultural value because it allows us to get back to our roots and live a simpler lifestyle, something people have largely forgotten in America.
Especially in rural areas where there is not so much commercial and mar...
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Children have been foragers for centuries, gathering berries on their way home from school, pockets overflowing and sore stomach from eating too many. But as fresh produce in supermarkets become increasingly expensive, and the want for local sustainable food more popular, adults around the world are putting on their Wellies in search of some wild treats.
Our world has evolved exponentially over the decades, centuries, and eons. We have evolved, not only physically, but in the skills that we have obtained. We have learned how to make fire and tame the elements. Among these advances, we have learned how to farm. Before this advance, we were hunter gatherers, but we needed a more convenient source of food. As hunter-gathers, we were a more successful race in terms of health and happiness.
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