Tag Archives: nature therapy

Forage Series Class: Summer Medicine

Kristen Dorsey, shamanic herbalist and owner of Divine Journeys, will lead participants in a useful plant walk. Wild harvesting tools, techniques, safety and ethics will be discussed. Edible, medicinal and poisonous plants will be identified, and some medicinal plants will be harvested. In August, we may find medicinals to harvest such as Burdock root, Yellow/Curly Dock root, Echinacea Root, Elder Berries, Alliums, Wild Bee Balm, Yarrow, Boneset, Gravel Root, Pleurisy Root, Motherwort, Mugwort, St. John’s Wort and many more. Following the harvest, we will prepare medicine from our finds. Medicine preparation may include infusions, decoctions, oil extractions, tinctures and glycerinates.

Facilitator

Kristen Dorsey has been studying shamanism and plant medicine since the 1980s. Kristen has been a full-time practicing shamanic herbalist since 2004. She makes her own medicines and has an herbal apothecary of over 200 herbs, tinctures and oils. She wild harvests many of the herbs herself each year.

Kristen has attended over 120 hours of core and advanced shamanism training programs with Michael Harner’s Foundation for Shamanic Studies (FSS) and is a graduate of the 126 hour Advanced Shamanic Training Program “Next Steps” offered by FSS staff Dana & Shana Robinson. She continues her study of shamanism by working with her own Guides and by working directly with Peruvian shamans several times per year.

Kristen is a graduate of the Green Comfort School of Herbal Medicine and holds certificates in medicinal herbalism and herbal apothecary. She continues her herbalism training by studying under many of the great herbalists of the day. Kristen has also completed a 2 yr aromatherapy course of study with the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She is a member of the American Herbalists Guild.

Quantum Touch energy healing and EFT blend well with shamanic healing practices. She has completed Quantum Touch & EFT training and has hundreds of hours of hands-on energy healing experience.

Flourish: An Overview

Ray Mims, USBG Conservation and Sustainability Horticulturist
Working with, being in, and seeing plants and nature can be beneficial in numerous ways. Join Ray for this overview tour of the USBG’s summer exhibit, Flourish: Inside and Out. Spend some time on the terrace discussing sensory plants and programs around the country that use plants in programs and curricula. Walk through the East Gallery and learn about plants for the indoors and adaptable tools, all of which should excite you to embrace nature and inspire you to flourish both inside and out! – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/21/tour-flourish-overview#sthash.Fxbpss9m.dpuf

Therapeutic Garden Design Workshop

Clare Johnson, Horticultural Therapy Services Manager and Design Consultant, Chicago Botanic Garden
Therapeutic landscapes are a necessity in health and human service environments as well as in everyday life. They promote healing, reduce stress, and provide a place of respite for all who visit. When designing a garden for therapeutic purposes, it is imperative to address each of these principles: the program, the people, and the place. An outdoor green space will only become therapeutic when it is designed with the intended audience and programmatic intentions at the forefront of every decision. – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/21/workshop-principles-therapeutic-garden-design#sthash.QablKxOZ.dpuf

Horticultural Therapy in Action!

Edward Goodman, Manager, Greenhouse Operations, Melwood
Something is always happening in the horticultural therapy program at Melwood. Join Edward as he discusses maintaining a fine line between production and therapy, focusing on Melwood participants and keeping them active. Then participate in an activity well-loved at Melwood: making gourd broaches with natural materials. There is never a dull moment, so stay on your toes! – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/21/workshop-horticultural-therapy-action#sthash.wVJNkjgL.dpuf

How Does Nature Impact Health?

Barbara Kreski, Director, Horticultural Therapy Services, Chicago Botanic Garden
Connecting with nature has many documented physical, cognitive, and psychological benefits. We’ll talk about some of the surprising ways “going green” can help you flourish. – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/21/lecture-how-does-nature-impact-health#sthash.akTMenci.dpuf

Horticultural Therapy in Healthcare and Beyond

Matthew J. Wichrowski, MSW, HTR, Sr. Horticultural Therapist, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU-Langone Medical Center
Interest in the beneficial effects of nature has been on the rise lately. Join us as we explore the foundations of horticultural therapy and its use in healthcare settings, including therapeutic garden design. Recommendations for personal health and wellness are provided. – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/20/lecture-horticultural-therapy-healthcare-and-beyond#sthash.Z9brdukg.dpuf

Flourish: An Overview

Anna Mische John, USBG Gardener
Working with, being in, and seeing plants and nature can be beneficial in numerous ways. Join Anna for this overview tour of the USBG’s summer exhibit, Flourish: Inside and Out. Spend some time on the terrace discussing sensory plants and programs around the country that use plants in programs and curricula. Walk through the East Gallery and learn about plants for the indoors and adaptable tools, all of which should excite you to embrace nature and inspire you to flourish both inside and out! – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/20/tour-flourish-overview#sthash.lQMqQhHI.dpuf

Tour: Medicinal & Poisonous Plants at the USBG

Beth Burrous, Biochemist and USBG Volunteer Docent
Many important medicines are derived from plants, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous. During a walking tour of the Conservatory, Beth Burrous will feature poisonous and medicinal plants growing at the USBG. She will talk about famous, interesting, and sometimes fatal cases of poisoning by plants. You will also see and learn about plants used to make lifesaving medicines.

– See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/19/tour-medicinal-poisonous-plants-usbg#sthash.HC8U0slo.dpuf

Forage Series Class: Weeds for Wellness

Some of the most common weeds are our best medicines, and they’re almost always available for free at our doorsteps. Herbalist Holly Poole-Kavana will lead a walk to explore the medicine inside the plants we take for granted, with attention to plant identification, harvest considerations, and preparation. After the walk we will gather for a hands-on demonstration of processing some of the plants we have found. Students will leave having experienced the entire process of finding and making medicine from local weeds.

About the facilitator: Holly Poole-Kavana is a botanist and herbalist practicing in Washington, DC. She is a lifelong plant enthusiast and has a bachelor’s degree in botany. In 2005 she shifted her  focus to herbal medicine and studied with a series of experienced herbalists in the classroom, clinic, and outdoors. Since 2010 she has operated Little Red Bird Botanicals, a small business that provides individual herbal consultations, an herbal CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), locally-grown herbal products, and education. Holly also works as a birth assistant and labor doula.

 

Medicinal Mushrooms

This 1-day class is a deep exploration into the world of mushrooms and mushroom medicine. Through lecture and demonstration, we’ll explore the life cycle of fungi, and the basic biology and ecology of mushrooms to understand why mushrooms are medicinal for us and how growing conditions affect their medicinal and nutritional content.

We’ll then explore the amazing medicinal qualities that come from mushrooms, especially local wild species, and how to prepare them.

Participants will taste some amazing medicinal mushroom teas and learn easy ways to use mushrooms for immune health. Participants will also walk away with samples of locally harvested medicinal mushroom tea.

This class covers three main topics:
*The lifecycle and basic biology of mushrooms
*An introduction to the amazing medicine from medicinal mushrooms
*The ability of mushrooms to degrade toxic man-made waste in nature

Date: June 19, 9am- 1pm        Cost: $40

Location: The Johnston Square Brick Barn, Baltimore 21202       Instructor: Jared Urchek

**Notice of cancellation must be given 48-hrs in advance of any of our workshops or events in order to request a refund. Cancellations are subject to a $5 restocking fee. **

About the Instructor:

Jared Urchek, L.Ac, CZB, is a Five-Element acupuncturist, certified Zero Balancer, and a cultivator of gourmet & medicinal mushrooms.  He is enthralled by the beauty and the healing power of Nature.  Growing up in the woods of northeast Ohio, he found the woods to be comforting, healing, and inspiring even as a youngster. Learning about the wonders of the fungal Kingdom through a permaculture class started a lifelong passion for the cultivation and use of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. Jared is also profoundly inspired by Chinese medicine and its ability to help people heal on all levels – body, mind, and spirit. Imagine his surprise in learning that all the great medicinal and gourmet mushrooms were also potent Chinese medicinal herbs? Jared offers private and group acupuncture sessions, a growing line of medicinal mushroom products, and various classes and workshops to spread the healing knowledge of these vital traditions.

About the Location:

The “Brick Barn” is a brick garage turned classroom space on Charm City Farms’ newest Permaculture farm space, a triple vacant, city-owned lot in the Johnston Square area of Baltimore. The Brick Barn serves as a classroom space for Permaculture Design Certificate courses, a workshop, and a community gathering space, with future plans to include produce processing and to serve as a local goods trading post.

The address to the barn is 1310 Hillman St, Baltimore, MD 21202, directly across from Green Mount Cemetery.

Flourish: An Overview

Ray Mims, USBG Conservation and Sustainability Horticulturist
Working with, being in, and seeing plants and nature can be beneficial in numerous ways. Join Ray for this overview tour of the USBG’s summer exhibit, Flourish: Inside and Out. Spend some time on the terrace discussing sensory plants and programs around the country that use plants in programs and curricula. Walk through the East Gallery and learn about plants for the indoors and adaptable tools, all of which should excite you to embrace nature and inspire you to flourish both inside and out! – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/18/tour-flourish-overview#sthash.YrSqSC9a.dpuf

Tree Tour: Forest Meditation Walk in Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

Registration required: http://caseytrees.org/event/tree-tour-forest-meditation-walk-in-kenilworth-park/

Join Casey Trees and author/naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley for the second in our series of “shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing walks—walks which will take us to all four quadrants of Washington, D.C. during 2016. We will meet at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for a mindfulness walk under the trees growing near the marsh and water gardens — a magical realm where dragonflies and butterflies hover above fragrant flowering plants, turtles bask and bald eagles and ospreys patrol the waters for fish.

Numerous health studies in North America and around the world have demonstrated measurable improvements in physical health and mood following sensory immersion in nature, including lowered blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Melanie will share some simple techniques she has learned to help us connect more deeply with the beauty and wonder of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the Washington, D.C. tree canopy that Casey Trees and our volunteers have been working to restore, enhance and protect for 15 years.

Stay tuned for more forest meditation walks later this year!

Instructors

Melanie Choukas-Bradley— naturalist and author of City of Trees and A Year in Rock Creek Park

Registration

Advance registration is required; space is limited.

Who Should Attend?

This tour is ideal for anyone who would like to learn about the health benefits of spending time in nature.

Come Prepared

This event will take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather where safety could be jeopardized, the tour will be rescheduled.

To ensure you enjoy your experience with us:

  • Dress for the event and weather. Be prepared for rain if forecast.
  • Wear layers and comfortable hiking boots or shoes that can get muddy.
  • Apply sunscreen and insect repellent.
  • Bring water and snacks.

Getting There

The closest Metorail station is Deanwood (Orange Line) which is a 20 minute walk from Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. The Metrobus stop is near the  intersection of Eastern and Olive Street NE (served by the W4 and V8) or the Deanwood Metro station (served by the V8 and W4). There is also free parking available in the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens lot, which is the meeting spot for the walk.

Site Information

We will be walking very slowly and covering a short distance during our 3 hour forest bathing walk. We will provide light portable canvas chairs that you are welcomed to carry for the sitting portions of the walk. There are restrooms on site.

Horticulture Therapy: The Slower We Go, The Faster We Get There

Lana Dreyfuss, LCADC, SEP, HTR, former president AHTA, current treasurer AHTA
What is horticultural therapy and how can it be beneficial to special populations? In this presentation we will explore horticultural therapy and how it can serve as an activity-based intervention utilizing the natural world, mindfulness, and our parasympathetic nervous systems! Please note: This is an experiential presentation that includes a hands-on activity. – See more at: https://www.usbg.gov/events/2016/02/22/workshop-horticultural-therapy-slower-we-go-faster-we-get-there#sthash.IyYVWYwW.dpuf

Medicinal and Edible Plant Walk

Many of the weeds we pull from our gardens are medicinal and/or edible, and many of the plants we grow for food also have medicinal uses. Explore the possibilities on this walk through. We will focus on uses of common weeds and garden plants.

This walk will take place at Wangari Gardens on the corner of 14th and Taylor NW.

Teacher Bio: Holly Poole-Kavana is an herbalist practicing in Washington DC. In 2010 she founded Little Red Bird Botanicals, offering herbal consultations, an herbal medicine CSA, and workshops on growing and using medicinal herbs. She also works as a health educator and birth assistant.