PULASKI — Usually when someone is arrested, they become infamous, not famous.

Steve Brill is the exception to that rule. In 1986, Brill was arrested in New York City’s Central Park for the crime of removing vegetation.

His story made national headlines and Brill appeared on television with celebrities like David Letterman and Dan Rather. Turns out, getting arrested was the best thing to happen to Brill.

Brill, a.k.a “Wildman,” said he loves to be outdoors and decided to turn his hobby of foraging for edible plants into a way to make money 22 years ago.

He began giving foraging tours because no one else was doing it at the time, and was struggling until he got arrested. A month after his arrest, his charges were dropped and, instead of prosecuting, the city of New York offered Brill a job as a naturalist, to lead teaching tours showing other New Yorkers the bounty growing around them.

Now Brill works with schools, day camps, and holds workshops and tours in New York state and surrounding areas.

In September, Brill will travel to Oswego County for the second Wild Women Weekend at Selkirk State Park along the shore of Lake Ontario.

The weekend, Sept. 16-19, gives women of any age and ability a chance to enjoy nature and learn new skills by participating in a variety of workshops, including Brill’s. For more information on the weekend visit www.wildwomenunite.com.

Beaucoup benefits

One of the benefits of foraging for edible plants is that a person can “walk into a green area, and they’re right there,” Brill said, adding "its just like going to a grocery store minus the check out lines."

“Wild plants are higher in nutrients (than food bought at a grocery store), they’re fresher, they have more flavor and they’re free,” Brill said. “Plus, the ones that are picked are renewable. They grow back as weeds.”

Commonly found in Brill’s recipes are dandelions, cattails and acorns. “We’ll be using whatever we find,” Brill said about his workshop at Selkirk Shores in September. He mentioned finding and cooking clover and evening primrose root as possibilities. “It will be a lot of fun,” he added. “There are many fascinating culinary possibilities.”

For Brill, the world is full of food. Most people don't realize many of the plants they try so hard to rid their yards of not only are edible, but can be turned into delicacies with little effort, information on his Web site, www.wildmanstevebrill.com, said.

He said he hopes his workshops and classes give people a “totally different outlook on their local ecosystem” and also helps them understand why it is important to maintain those ecosystems.

Renaissance man

“You can’t go to college for this stuff,” Brill said about his career. “It’s a cross between cutting-edge science and The Three Stooges.”

Brill, a naturalist who is also an author, an artist and an expert on the Brillophone (an instrument you make by cupping your hands and clapping them in front of your mouth), also considers himself a comedian. Brill’s stories, personality and knowledge make for an enjoyable outdoor experience for those who go on his tours.

Although some may be nervous about eating wild plants, when asked if he has ever eaten something that made him sick Brill replied, “Yeah. I grew up eating junk food.”