That would be a terrific project... I think I would try finding that sort of thing over in the high desert over in OR/WA, where things are less disturbed, and waterholes are even more critical, forming a concentrated zone.
Even in your neck of the woods, where there are nut trees or berry bushes growing wild, you might find something. Once you know one variety of wild plant is there, check nearby for something else that may ripen at a different time. If you find it, you may be on to something. Most settlers would see something 'growing wild' as a bonus. Some might even encourage that growth and transplant some to make an orchard, but that could be a sign to look for the assemblage. Here, we have Juneberry, chokecherry, Wild Plum, raspberries, "Indian turnips" and wild onion, and Bilberry (aka buffaloberry), in order of ripening with the latter only really ready around first frost. Most of the berries are suitable for making pemmican.
A lot of medicinal plants are seen as weeds by most, but include raspberries, nettles, shepherd's purse, lavender, plantain, and others commonly recognized as having medicinal value. Willow bark is prized for making tea (painkiller, similar to aspirin).
