Fall 2025 Paw Paw Forage (Week 4 Saturday)

Come explore one of North America’s most unique and ancient native fruits—the Pawpaw—in its natural semi-aquatic habitat! This immersive outdoor experience will take you deep into bottomland forest and floodplain environments, where waist-high water and muddy terrain are part of the adventure. Prepare to get wet and dirty as we wade through creeks and saturated lowlands in search of wild Pawpaws, American Persimmons (also known as possum apples or sugar plums), and more.

🌿 What Makes This SpecialThe Pawpaw is the largest edible fruit native to the U.S., long revered by Indigenous cultures. Its custard-like flesh has an unforgettable tropical flavor—think mango meets banana with a hint of melon. Every tree yields fruit with its own unique taste, and best of all, there are no dangerous lookalikes in the wild.

💧 Terrain & ConditionsThis is a semi-aquatic forage. Expect to traverse muddy trails and wade through waist-deep water in parts. You will get wet, and the footing can be slippery and uneven. Be physically prepared for a challenge—this is rated 7.5/10 in endurance. We move as a group and assist each other along the way.

👟 What to Bring

• Aquatic shoes or CROCS (no flip-flops!)
• Optional: Chest or hip waders (note: may increase difficulty due to drag)
• Wicker basket or hard container with a lid for safe fruit collection
• Packed lunch and at least 1 liter of water per person
• Dress in moisture-wicking clothes that can get muddy
• Dry change of clothes and towel for after the event (leave in your vehicle)

🚫 Important Info

• No bathrooms on site – please plan accordingly
• No late arrivals, no refunds, no reschedules – this is a seasonal event with limited availability
• Ages 5 and up only (children must be closely supervised)

🌳 Whether you're a seasoned forager or just curious about native wild foods, this event offers a rare opportunity to step into an untouched ecosystem and harvest flavors found nowhere else. Space is very limited—join us for this muddy, magical, and memorable day in the fall forest!