Jul21

wildman.

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Not many people can say they were arrested for picking and eating a dandelion in New York’s Central Park, but there’s at least one: Steve Brill, also known as “Wildman.” Although the 1986 charges were eventually dropped, the story made national headlines (he even landed on Late Night With David Letterman), and the city ended up hiring him to lead foraging walks in the very place he was arrested.
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Fourty years later, the 77-year-old forager is still hosting nature tours in the park to help people identify, responsibly harvest, and cook with plants and mushrooms — and ultimately, get “closer to nature, one bite at a time,” per his website. He also has several books, an app, and even a plant card game.
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Urban foraging in New York is technically illegal. But Brill ensures he’s only picking invasive and renewable resources, and maintains that what’s gained in awareness is irreplaceable. “People appreciate what’s going on, how the ecosystem works,” he told the Associated Press. “Then they become more protective.”
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​ If you’re in the New York area, check out his calendar to forage with him.

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‘a foraging wild creature, intent above all upon survival, is as strong as the grass.’

-richard adams

  • Richard Adams (1920–2016) was an English author best known for his debut 1972 novel, Watership Down. Originally a civil servant, he wrote the acclaimed naturalistic story about wild rabbits at his daughters’ urging. He later wrote other anthropomorphic and fantasy works . A former British Army veteran who served in World War II, Adams did not begin his writing career until he was in his late 40s. Following the overnight international success of Watership Down, he retired from the Civil Service in 1974 to become a full-time author.

 

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source credits: AP, nicenews

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51 responses »

  5. It’s wonderful that the City had the wisdom and foresight to turn this negative into a positive that’s still making impact 4 decades later. Local specialists such as Wildman do so much to enrich their communities!

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  10. A fascinating story about curiosity, nature, and unexpected encounters with the law. Steve Brill’s experience highlights how even ordinary plants can reveal hidden lessons about urban nature, conservation, and our relationship with the environment. 🌿✨

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  23. What an incredible story! It’s amazing how one act of curiosity and passion for nature turned into a lifelong mission of education. Steve Brill’s journey is a wonderful reminder that helping people understand the natural world can inspire them to protect it. 🌿🍃

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