This image is courtesy of The Native Society.

The Native Society just published an in-depth article about Wildman Steve Brill. I know the author and expert forager from many years ago, when I lived in Queens, NY. He does foraging tours of parks, showing people which plants are edible. I asked him if he even does this in DC and his response was:

“I was invited there to DC 2011 by a locavore group; it was the first time I’d been there since a graduated from GWU 40 years earlier. In honor of this, officials told me to never so much as set foot in Rock Creek Park, but we did a tour covering edible street weeds, which everyone loved. If you know of any organizations that can cover expenses from NY and a fee, and can find a location where we won’t be harassed, I’d be happy to return.” Rumor has it that he was threatened with a vacation to a very well-known prison outside of U.S borders if he returned to that park.

There are parks and trails all over this area; maybe someone has a connection in local government (possibly in a nearby county) who could set this up. “Cy” says because of the “conservative culture” (governmental) of this area, it won’t happen, but I’ll post it anyway. Prove Cy wrong.

-JAY