Reconnect with the Land
8 Week Hybrid Program to Foster Reciprocity with Nature
overview
Our hope is that your time with us will help you foster a meaningful relationship to the wild flora in Southern California & plant the seed for you to become a land steward wherever life takes you. By learning about your local ecosystems, traditional ways of tending the land you live on, and ways to build relationships with plants based on reciprocity, you can begin to see the importance of working towards ecological harmony- inside and out.
Who is this program for?
This course is for you if…
You seek to connect with nature in a way that is accessible, uncomplicated, and inviting
You want to take your knowledge of local plants and ecosystems to the next level
You want to learn the tools and skills that help facilitate a reciprocal connection with the land
You are a student of herbalism, practicing herbalist, or simply interested in learning more about the basics of bioregional herbal medicine making
You enjoy eating locally sourced and wild foods and want to learn to cook easy, seasonal recipes
You seek open discussions about ecophilosophy and enjoy learning alongside other like-minded people
Note: You do not have to be based in California to participate in this program!
Dates & Duration
8 week online program with 3 in-person field days
September 10th - November 4th
Meets online (once a week for 8 weeks)
Wednesday evenings 6-8:30pm
Field Days
Sunday September 10, 2023 8am-12pm
October 8, 2023 9am-12pm
November 5th, 2023 9am-12pm
What you’ll gain:
A deeper connection with the living ecosystems all around you
Basic herbal medicine making skills and ethnobotanical knowledge
Nature field journaling and observational skills
Ethical and sustainable wildcrafting skills
In-depth knowledge on 8 local plants and their ecology, ethnobotany, and uses
A list of resources including books, documentaries, websites, practitioners, organizations, and more for your own learning
A sense of community with other nature-loving people
Syllabus
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Pt. 1 (09/10) In-person meeting: Intro to the program, Intro to nature journaling, & Intro to California’s Natural History
Pt.2 (09/13) Online meeting : What does it mean to have a reciprocal relationship with the land? Learn about ethical wild crafting & get to know White Sage in depth.
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(09/20) Online meeting: Introducing yourself to a plant - Plant Meditation with California Buckwheat.
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(09/27) Online meeting: Get to know our local elder tree- Sambucus mexicana. Together, we’ll make elderberry syrup to use through the fall.
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(10/04) Online meeting: Learn about California Wild Rose; A lesson on traditional ecological knowledge systems from around the world.
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(10/08) In-Person meeting: Field day & commemoration to the Indigenous peoples of Southern California
(10/11) Online meeting: Cook and learn! As we prepare a nourishing medicinal broth together, we’ll learn about plants’ symbiotic relationships with fungi. -
(10/18) Online meeting: Learn about the California Black Walnut tree & various herbal preparations of it.
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(10/25) Online meeting: A lesson from the Sequoia tree- What is our role in our local ecosystems? How can we learn to be better land stewards and observers of natural phenomena?
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(11/01) Online meeting: Lesson on Mugwort, native and medicinal plant cultivation, permaculture, food forestry, and organic gardening.
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(11/05) In-Person meeting: Final presentation, gratitude circle for the land, and potluck.
Meet your instructors
Meet Andrea Jimenez, creator of Herb Club LA, & Jaskrit Bhalla, creator of Inner Garden. Together, they hope to create a space where herbalists of all levels, plant stewards, or anyone who is curious about connecting with nature can foster a meaningful relationship with the beautiful land we live on.
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Co-Founder
Jaskrit is an herbalist, permaculture practitioner, certified naturalist, educator, postpartum doula, and cook. She is passionate about the roles that nature, food, and community play in our healing. She is an advocate for practicing reciprocity with the land and with each other. She is also the founder of Inner Garden.
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Co-FounderCalifornia naturalist, herbalist, and educator. It is Andrea’s passion to help people harmonize with our ecology —or better yet to reconnect with the land. She believes that by restoring our relationship to nature, we can begin to heal ourselves and the world. She is also the founder of Herb Club LA.
pricing
one time & payment plans available
our goal is to help people reconnect with the land while being conscious that we are still a part of modern society. that being said, we don’t want finances to keep you from joining. we have scholarships & discounts available. reach out below regarding financial aid.
WAITLIST ONLY scholarships &
financial aid
if you are feeling called to reconnect with the land & don’t have the means, let’s work something out!