Foraging in New York City parks

Francesca Hessler, originally from Pasadena, gathers juneberries in Central Park on her third tour with Steve "Wildman" Brill.

Francesca Hessler, originally from Pasadena, gathers juneberries in Central Park on her third tour with Steve “Wildman” Brill. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

June 8, 2012 7:22 PM PT

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For more than 30 years, Steve Brill, a 63-year-old carnivore-turned-vegetarian-turned-vegan, has led foraging expeditions through New York City parks in a campaign to improve people’s eating habits and save them from heart disease and other ills.

Urban foragers

Steve “Wildman” Brill, 63, holds a piece of edible yellow wood sorrel. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Urban foragers

Gisel Reggianini, center, of New Jersey learns how to dig up burdock root with Brill’s help. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Urban foragers

Mulberries are another edible found in Central Park. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Urban foragers

Wild garlic found in Central Park. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Urban foragers

One of Brill’s followers holds a piece of edible yellow wood sorrel. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Urban foragers

Brill, who has a prickly relationship with the city, leads at least two tours a week from March to December. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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