As winters grow milder, a traditional autumn pastime is extending into a new season for some. Helēna, a resident of Taevaskoja, latvia, continues to forage for mushrooms – specifically chanterelles – well into the winter months, a practice increasingly made possible by changing climate patterns. Her experience highlights a quiet shift in how some are adapting to, and even embracing, the effects of a warming world, finding solace and a unique connection to nature in the off-season.
For years, mushroom foraging has been a passion for Helēna, evolving into a beloved hobby. But her dedication extends beyond the typical autumn harvest – she continues to venture into the forests even in winter, a practice becoming increasingly possible due to milder temperatures.
“There have been particularly successful days during the season. Once, I managed to collect almost 50 kilograms of chanterelles in a single day,” she recalls.
Winter foraging, however, presents a different experience. “In winter, I don’t go into the forest for quantity, but rather for the experience. Usually, a single bowlful is enough,” she explained. The practice highlights a growing trend of adapting to changing seasonal patterns, as warmer winters allow for foraging opportunities previously unavailable.
This year, she gathered just enough mushrooms to make a sauce for her home. Helēna has developed a tradition of winter foraging in recent years, venturing into the woods even when snow covers the ground after arriving at her rural home in Taevaskoja.
“Warmer winters have created a situation where chanterelles can be found even during a time when the forest should be resting,” she explained.
Snow fell during the Christmas period this year, making the search more challenging, but not impossible. “I know the places where chanterelles grow well, and they could be found even under a thin layer of snow,” Helēna said. The phenomenon underscores how climate change is altering traditional seasonal activities.
“The Christmas forest offers a completely different feeling than the summer forest. While others are looking for a Christmas tree and gifts, I am looking for chanterelles.”
Helēna emphasizes that winter foraging is less about the harvest and more about the experience itself. “It’s peace, quiet, and a feeling that nature can surprise even when it seems like everything is over.”
“It is peace, quiet and a feeling that nature is able to surprise even when it seems that everything has already ended.”
