Curious about the medicinal plants growing right under your feet? This walk is designed to shift your perspective from “looking” at nature to “experiencing” it. Led by the legendary David Winston and herbalist Patrick Kooyman, this session focuses on the energetics of herbs – understanding their heating, cooling, drying, or moistening effects on the body through direct sensory engagement.
David Winston, RH (AHG), is an herbalist and ethnobotanist with over 50 years of training in Cherokee, Chinese, and Western herbal traditions. He has been a clinical herbalist for over 45 years and is a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild. David is the founder of David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies, where he has taught his two-year herbalist training program for over 35 years. He is the author of several definitive texts, including Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief and Saw Palmetto for Men & Women, and has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals and major herbal texts.
Patrick Kooyman is a clinical herbalist and ethnobotanist who has been in practice in the West Kootenays since 2017. He holds a degree in botany from the University of Calgary and completed the Master Herbalist program through Wild Rose College, followed by clinical training through Emery Herbals. Patrick is the owner of Blue Lotus Ethnobotanicals, where he specializes in creating high-quality tinctures from wildcrafted and cultivated medicinals. His practice and teaching are rooted in scientific herbal medicine, enriched by the influences of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and the indigenous traditions of North and South America.
Curious about the darker corners of the plant kingdom? This session is designed to shift your perspective from fear to respectful understanding. This intensive seminar focuses on the Shadow Garden – exploring the history, folklore, and medicinal nuances of high-potency botanicals through a hands-on, multi-sensory approach.
Fiona Heckels and Kazina Knight are the visionary duo behind the Seed Sistas, a clinical herbalism partnership dedicated to “Sensory Herbalism” and community-led botanical activism. Based in the UK, they are the authors of the acclaimed book Sensory Herbalism and have spent over 20 years teaching people how to cultivate a deep, intuitive relationship with the earth.
Known for their vibrant, artistic, and slightly rebellious approach to plant medicine, the Seed Sistas combine rigorous clinical knowledge with a passion for folklore and the “magic” of the hedgerow. They are international speakers and educators who believe that herbalism is a tool for both personal healing and social change.
Ready to re-enchant your relationship with the local landscape? This walk is designed to shift your perspective from “passing by” nature to “deeply connecting” with it. Led by the beloved Rosemary Gladstar, this session focuses on the soulful stories of our botanical neighbors – understanding the powerful medicine and edible treasures growing in the untamed areas exactly where we live.
Rosemary Gladstar is often referred to as the “Godmother of Modern American Herbalism.” With over 40 years of experience, she is a world-renowned educator, activist, and author of numerous classics, including Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide and Herbal Healing for Women. Rosemary is the founder of United Plant Savers, a non-profit dedicated to the conservation of native medicinal plants, and the creator of the Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary. Her warm, accessible teaching style has inspired generations of herbalists to embrace the healing power of the plant kingdom.