(1) All plants gathered by children or staff that are intended to be consumed by children must be clean and safe to eat. The requirements described in WAC 110-302-0196 through 110-302-0198 apply to plants gathered by children or staff that are intended to be consumed by children.

(2) ONB program staff must be able to demonstrate they have the level of knowledge necessary to:

(a) Properly identify the different plant species that are native to the area and region where the ONB program is located;

(b) Identify and avoid poisonous plants and plants that look similar to poisonous plants; and

(c) Ensure that plants are harvested during the correct time of year and season.

(3) ONB program staff must ensure the area where plants are being harvested, for example an adjacent road or field, has not been sprayed with pesticides or other pollutants. The ONB program staff must also ensure that plants are not harvested if the ground contains any type of toxins including, but not limited to, toxins associated with the smelter plume areas in the Tacoma and Everett smelter plume areas located in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties.

(4) Mushrooms and other fungi of any variety must not be touched, picked, harvested, or consumed by children.

(5) ONB program staff must ensure that children do not touch, pick, harvest, or consume plants without the permission of program staff. Before a child eats any type of wild vegetation, ONB program staff must ensure the vegetation has been approved for consumption by a staff person who is able to correctly identify the source plant. Prior approval by the appropriate ONB program staff person is required even if a child thinks they can correctly identify the plant.