ABOUT

THE ETHICAL FORAGER

KEITH M. COWLEY | Forager & Educator

As a Naturalist, Educator and Wild Food Forager, Cowley brings his lifelong intimate experience with the natural world to the table, sharing his vision for an ethical and sustainable approach.

Under the guidance of his Grandfather and his Grandfather’s indigenous teacher, Cowley developed skills early as a young teen on the seacoast of Connecticut. He learned proper technique in foraging wild mushrooms and other wild edibles while growing up with traditional experiences: hunting, tanning, tracking, and fishing both recreationally and commercially. Over the following decades he would hone his skills identifying species, traditional and modern usage, and importance in their respective ecosystems. His deeply rooted internal martial arts practice (Embodyssey) developed over 20 years also taught him to integrate more efficiently and mindfully into the environments he explored.

Cowley has taught classes and workshops to many communities, leading foraging walks and nature observation hikes. He has developed educational outdoor programming and progressive outreach for organizations that value a connected approach to environmental stewardship. With the Westerly Land Trust he has been the contributing wild food forager for the Foraged of the Earth Dinner where he is able to educate guests on ethical and sustainable land use practices. He has also been employed by the Tomaquag Museum, which focuses on preserving the stories and culture of Southern New England Tribes.

Cowley is the author of Body as Teacher, Nature as Preacher (2018). He resides in Westerly Rhode Island where he offers workshops, seminars and lectures, foraging walks and awareness/immersion hikes to his community.