Recipient: PAUL STRAUSS
Submitted by Chip Carroll
“Paul is one of a kind, a dedicated steward of the aina, and a dear friend to me and my family.”
— Richard Liebman
This year we are honoring Paul Strauss of Equinox Botanicals for the United Plant Savers Medicinal Plant Conservation Award. As we reflect on the history and legacy of United Plant Savers and all that has been accomplished over the last 30-years, we recognize up-front that this organization, the Botanical Sanctuary, and all that has been created through it would not have been possible and likely may have never even happened if not for this one man. Not only has Paul worked tirelessly for the last 50+ years to protect and conserve land near and around his home, but he has also created a far-reaching legacy that will long outlive anyone reading this today.
Paul arrived in Meigs County, near Rutland, Ohio as a young man from NYC and before long took up a keen interest in the medicinal plants and unique ecosystems that were on his newly acquired land and the surrounding hills and hollows. Paul’s deep appreciation for the plants and their medicine led him on a lifelong mission of acquiring land around his original farm to conserve the forests and the biodiversity which they held.
After starting a small herbal products business, Equinox Botanicals, Paul began putting energy into making and sharing medicine with the larger community and eventually grew a business that would see its products shipped all over the world. As the forested lands around him were being timbered or sold off (most of the lands had already been strip mined), or lands were lost to shady deals gone awry (as was somewhat common in 1970s and 1980s Meigs County), Paul was there to offer to buy those lands and “lock them up” for future generations.
Paul opened his farm, his land, and his knowledge to hundreds of students, teachers, academics, researchers, botanists, herbalists, foresters, biologists, mycologists, and anyone else who wanted to come learn from him and the land over the years. That is how I first met Paul, as a young college student on a field trip to his farm. I will never forget listening to Paul tell his stories and share his experiences that afternoon in his backyard, and I was completely enthralled with this man who spoke of passing “the green spark” onto others to follow in his footsteps. That spark completely changed my life and put me on a path which I am thankfully still on today. I am not unique; Paul has touched the lives of countless individuals over the decades in countless ways.
His farm was home to a kids’ outdoor camp annually for many decades. Children who came to the Sassafras Camp as 10-year-olds are now 40+-year olds and remember fondly the time they spent there and the numerous shared experiences they had with Paul. Legacy. Paul hosted about every herb school in the country here at his farm over the years, and many would come here annually for decades for their field trips and outdoor learning experience. A number of these groups continue to come here to this day. Many of you have been here over the years whether for a conference, workshop, or as an intern or student. Legacy.
It is impossible to measure the impact that Paul has had through his work and teachings over the years, but we can be assured that his impact on the greater good is much larger than most human beings will have over their lifetimes.
Do you have a story to share about Paul? Send your appreciation, letters, art, thoughts, poems. Please take the time to send Paul a written note via snail mail (as he does not have email) to: Paul Strauss 33446 McCumber Road Rutland, OH 45775.
