With the start of the wild mushroom picking season, the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Environment calls on the public to enjoy this activity responsibly and with respect for the forest and the natural environment. With simple and careful actions, we can all contribute to preserving the health of our forests and ensuring the continued presence of mushrooms for future generations.
To this end, the Forestry Department reminds the public of the following:
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
• Do not use rakes, “combs,” or other tools.The use of such tools disturbs the soil, can damage the fungus, and is prohibited by the Forestry Law.
• We do not dig up or disturb the soil. We gently remove only as much leaf litter as necessary and then replace it.
• We harvest mushrooms with care. The mushroom must be removed carefully, without causing damage to the soil or the surrounding area. We collect only mushroom species that we can identify with certainty as edible.
• Choose mature mushrooms. Select mushrooms that have largely completed their natural life cycle and have released their spores.
Litter—that is, the natural layer of fallen leaves, small twigs, and other organic material covering the ground—is an important part of the forest ecosystem. It retains moisture and protects the soil, while also providing shelter and food for small organisms, insects, and other forms of life. At the same time, it helps maintain the right conditions for fungi to grow. Extensive and indiscriminate removal of leaf litter can negatively affect the forest’s natural functioning.
Through responsible harvesting, we protect mushrooms, the soil, and the entire forest ecosystem.
Protecting the forest is everyone’s responsibility.
