Early and Abundant Salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)

Observation: I've never seen this many salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) on this side of the island. The other day we went to Qalulleq (old village or camp site not far from Toksook Bay) to pick berries do to the abundance of berries patches. This is also the earliest berry picking season we've ever harvested that I know of; we began picking salmonberries a few days after 4th of July.

LEO says: LEO Network is hosting in collaboration with USGS an annual survey about berry harvest in Alaska. If you are a berry harvester you are welcome to participate in our LEO Berry Assessment. See also the published report, How are your berries? Perspectives of Alaska’s environmental managers on trends in wild berry abundance. (J. Hupp et al.)

Resource:

Alaska Native Knowledge Network (ANKN) - Aqpik (Rubus chamaemorus) or low-bush salmonberry (in Alaska - not to be confused with true salmonberry, Rubus spectabilis) is a small herbaceous plant that grows on the tundra.

Video: View this short-video produced in the Metlakatla Indian Community of Alaska titled, Berry Fruit Leather:: METLAKATLA :: Store Outside Your Door. In this short 6:22 minute video, Metlakatla's Naomi Leask teaches us how to make fruit leather out of local berries! This Southeast Alaska community has a berry bounty each year. You can try this recipe with local berries from your area. Berries are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants (great for heart and brain health). The video was published on September 8, 2015 by The Store Outside Your Door project, an ANTHC Wellness and Prevention initiative to promote the knowledge and use of traditional foods and traditional ways.