Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't Black Forager : On Connecting with the Living World
Nov 6, 2025
Join Alexis Nicole Nelson, also known as Black Forager, a passionate forager and ethnobotanist communicator, as she dives into the world of native plants and ecological stewardship. She shares her journey from environmental engineering to community education and emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature through foraging and native landscaping. Alexis discusses the benefits of killing lawns for biodiversity, the ethics of foraging, and how we can turn grief for the environment into actionable community projects. Plus, get insights on her upcoming book and hands-on learning experiences!
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Eating Plants Builds Love For Nature
- Eating sun-warmed berries creates a visceral love and connection to the living world.
- Alexis argues direct sensory experiences drive lasting attachment to nature.
Replace Lawn With Native Food Forest
- Kill portions of your lawn and replace them with native, multi-layer plantings.
- Alexis says native yards lower maintenance and support biodiversity.
Why Typical Landscaping Feels Wrong
- Modern ornamental landscaping imitates a sterile, hedged aesthetic divorced from real ecosystems.
- The hosts call this look unnatural and argue it disconnects people from biological reality.
