"Wildman" Leading a Field Walk

This hands-on environmental program consists of field walks in local parks or indoor presentations, focusing on common wild plants. It puts gardeners in touch with their environment, and motivates them to study science and practice conservation.

There are many large parks throughout our region, and they present a wide range of ecosystems and species. Yet few of us are familiar with common wild plants, their identification, natural history, food and medicinal uses, or the folklore associated with them, and gardeners often destroy delicious wild foods and medicines as weeds.

Because we live in an age when environmental issues are crucial, we must do more than provide textbook information, websites, and social media if we expect to understand and appreciate the natural world and to play a responsible role in conservation.

We study wild plants in the field from various perspectives. As we learn plant identification, we emphasize key characteristics, so everyone can recognize the various species. We include botanical and ecological concepts, and use stories and humor to make the lessons come alive. Tales come from natural and human history, as well as from my personal experience. We include ethnobotany traditions of plant use for food, medicine, and crafts, as well as some of the ways folk wisdom complements science.

Related information from many areas of science is interwoven, and the participants are encouraged to ask questions. Conservation is paramount. We distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources, and stress the importance of managing our planet wisely. Appreciation of nature, more than fear of environmental destruction, leads us to take conservation to heart. Images of my botanical illustrations, plus photos of what the plants we're finding look like throughout the seasons, increase understanding.

Many well-informed people watch nature shows on TV and visit nature websites, and are eager to learn more, but have little access to meaningful field experiences. I've been trying to fill this gap since 1982, and welcome every opportunity to make a greater difference. My goals are still to provide the finest hands-on education possible, and inspire people to learn about and care for their planet.

     Contact

Landline: (914) 835-2153
Cell # /Message: 914-400-9135
Email: wildman@wildmanstevebrill.com