Andres Vergara, M.Ac., L.Ac. and Michele Collins, RH (AHG), MPH
Thank you to everyone who tuned in Holistic Healing with Herbs and Chinese Medicine on Tuesday, March 5th for our interview with Susan Leopold, the executive director of United Plant Savers, an excellent organization whose mission is to protect native medicinal plants and their native habitat in the United States and Canada. We wanted to post additional information about United Plant Savers for you. You can click here to join and support the important work they do to for plants. See below for a summary of some highlights about the work of this organization.
Classifying Vulnerable Plants
United Plant Savers classifies native medicinals as either at risk or to watch to show which plants are most susceptible to human activity. Many of these herbs like Black Cohosh, Echinacea, Goldenseal, and American Ginseng are very popular and widely used. The habitat for these plants is shrinking, making it important for those of us that love and value plants to be aware and conscious of where we buy these herbs to ensure their abundance for future generations. For a full list of the at risk and to watch herbs click here. Susan also mentioned on the show on March 5th that United Plant Savers has developed an important new tool to help classify which plants are most vulnerable to disappearing in the wild given five key areas. Watch the UpS website for more details, as they will be posting it free and available to the public.
Botanical Sanctuary Network
United Plant Savers is establishing a network of botanical sanctuaries throughout the country. There is a simple application process to complete if you have a space you would like to include. These sanctuaries serve as a home and depository for at risk plants to thrive and prosper. Once you join, you are eligible to planting grants and consultation services from experienced consultants who can guide you in medicinal plant and habitat restoration. Click here for details.
Internships
United Plant Savers offers a 6 week internship opportunities for those who are interested in learning a wide range of skills about land stewardship; the identification, habitat ecology, and cultivation of medicinal plants; and sustainable medicine making practices, ethics, and philosophies. They are accepting applications now for spring interns. Applications are due April 1st for the May 7-June 16th 2013. Click here for the application and details.
Resources for Cultivating Plants
United Plant Savers offers two great books about how to cultivate medicinal plants. They are a must have for anyone who is interested in growing working with medicinal plants. The first is Planting the Future: Saving our Medicinal Herbs and the second is The Medicinal Herbs Grower. We highly recommend them both.
United Plant Savers has an excellent page of links to a wide range of organizations and resources for plant conservation. Everything from important films and books to companies where you can order seeds and plants. Click here to see.
Spring Seed Giveaway
Richo Cech, the owner of Horizon Herbs, is offering Arnica seed for United Plant Savers members. Click here for details about Arnica and how to get your own seeds.
We encourage you to check out the United Plant Savers website and read more about their work, as well as how you can support the preservation of plants and their native habitat.
