Identifying and using native wild berries will be the topic of the Green Thumb Gardening Tips Brown Bag presentation, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners at noon Thursday, Sept. 26, in the county commissioners meeting room of the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E Fourth St., Port Angeles.

Clallam County 2012 Master Gardener of the Year Jeanette Stehr-Green will identify 10 edible wild berries commonly found on the North Olympic Peninsula and in what settings these berries are likely to be found. She also will provide common-sense tips to follow when picking wild berries and discuss regulations for collecting wild berries in national park, national forest and DNR lands.

Brenda Hanrahan will share information about preserving wild berries.

Stehr-Green said, “The North Olympic Peninsula abounds with wild berries.” She explained that many are edible and, although not always as flavorful as cultivated berries, wild berries are fun to collect and can provide a taste treat while hiking, backpacking or camping. They also can be used in cooking and stored for future use through freezing, canning and drying.

The Green Thumb Garden Tips brown bag series is sponsored by the WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners on the second and fourth Thursday of every month in Port Angeles. Presentations are free and open to the public, though donations to help offset copying costs for handouts are accepted. For more information, call 417-2279.