When I interviewed “Wildman” Steve Brill, one of NYC’s first foraging experts, we talked about how experiential learning, storytelling, and wild food education can bridge the gap between urban living and ecological consciousness. He blends humor, activism, and education to show that reconnecting with nature — through food — builds both personal health and collective environmental responsibility.
Do I belong Here?
A photo essay
This photo essay explores fine lines around belonging in this city – who or what is perceived to belong and who or what is seen as an invader? You’ll see pictured plants, foods, and people that are not native to the New York City region, but have become local. They run the gamut of perception from iconic NYC to foreign invader to exotic newcomer to unknown passerby.
Iconic New York foods were brought here by immigrants. So many of the very plants we see day to day are not from here either! I show plants, foods, and people who are not native to this region. Maybe you will recognize them.
Burdock in Central Park. Burdock is native to Europe and Western Asia. It was introduced to North America in the 1600s by colonists.A hot dog over Japanese Pachysandra groundcover. Japanese Pachysandra is native to Eastern Asia. It was introduced to North America as ornamental groundcover and is sometimes considered invasive as it can outcompete native plants.Yoshino cherry tree framing an idyllic day in Prospect Park. It is native to Japan where it was created as a hybrid of Oshima cherry and weeping cherry. The first Yoshino cherry was gifted to NYC in 1912.A New York pretzel from a Prospect Park food cart. Pretzels were invented in Italy but have become a local NYC staple.White clover lining the trail in Prospect Park. It is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and was introduced to North America as a livestock forage crop.Common reeds by Prospect Park Lake. There is a species of common reed that is native to North America, but pictured is the European variety that is considered invasive.Japanese creeper climbing a residential building in the West Village. It’s native to eastern Asia and was introduced to North America in the 1860s as an ornamental vine.English ivy enveloping an NYU Law building. English Ivy is native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. It is considered aggressively invasive.The quintessential ornamental pumpkin on a stoop in Park Slope. The earliest domesticated species of pumpkin are native to current day southern USA and northeastern Mexico.Nearly finished hot dog eaten over small-leaved plantain lily in Washington Square Park. It is native to eastern Asia.A princess tree growing out of a crack in the concrete in a residential courtyard in Park Slope. It is native to central and western China.Sammie eating some classic “New York City” hotdogs in Coney Island. Some say hotdogs were coined in Coney Island. Sammie is from Seattle, WA and her ancestry is from China and Western Europe.
So tell me…Which of these people, foods, plants belong here?
