In a time when there was no Walmart or Jimmy Johns, humans relied on gathering wild plants as a way to feed themselves.

At noon today in the Rathskeller Loft of 7th Street Underground, participants can learn more about the gathering of wild edible plants that grow in the area.

Biological sciences professor Nancy Coutant will share her interest in edible plants with today’s presentation.

“Uses of wild plants is one of my interests,” Coutant said.

Coutant has done many workshops on edible wild plants at nature centers and has taught classes on this subject, but she has never given a workshop like this on campus.

“It will be fun,” Coutant said. “I think people usually enjoy them.”

At today’s event, participants will learn how to identify, collect and prepare wild edible plants; although Coutant does not encourage amateur gatherers to do so.

“I’m not really promoting people to go out on their own,” Coutant said.

Gathering and ingesting wild plants could be dangerous if the person does not know what they are looking for.

Coutant suggests that people interested in edible wild plants should take a class in the subject before they start exploring and eating these plants.

The edible wild plants presentation is part of the Healthy Lifestyles series of events.

Julie Benedict, a training and development specialist at Eastern, coordinated this event based on suggestions from participants in previous healthy lifestyles events.

“After the year is up, I try to email those who attended, what they would like to see,” Benedict said.

The event is mostly geared to faculty on their lunch break, but students may attend also.

“If students want to come, they’re more than welcome,” Benedict said.

The next Healthy Lifestyles event will be held on Nov. 17 where participants will learn Pilates.

Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7492 or DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.