The Healing Forest Theme

It feels like during the pandemic time started to tick a bit faster as we shape-shifted our energy to tackle new challenges and opportunities. The theme of this year’s Journal is the Healing Forest, and in tandem, the theme of the International Herb Symposium was also a deep immersion into the dynamic ways forests heal the planet. The keynote of the IHS was Diana Beresford Kroeger talking about the medicinal aerosols of trees, pointing out how the global forest exerts an antiviral and antibacterial action on the moving air masses. Would it not be a fascinating study to see how those living close to trees and taking walks in the forest regularly were less likely to contract viruses. I think we intuitively know the answer to such a question and that the recent increase in zoonosis disease over the last decades is directly related to the rapid rate of deforestation taking place on the planet. Therefore, the theme of the healing forest for both the Journal and for the IHS seemed to resonate strongly at this moment in time.

2021 Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation

We put a call out to you our members to share your accomplishments, stories, podcasts, zines, art, and poems. In the process of putting all this amazing content together, I am in awe of the intersection of art, ecology, spirituality, and hope. This Journal reflects the work of you the members making a difference one person at a time, one garden at a time, and the sharing of knowledge and diverse perspective that plants bring into our lives. For many of us, plants have provided a haven for our fragile beings during this pandemic, and we now see a wave of migration as people are moving to wild spaces, or they are growing that garden they have always dreamed about. This Journal is a reflection of the community of plant savers, over 25 years in the works, and still young at heart with enthusiasm for the bounty and blessing of the green world.

Related Links:

The UpS Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation 2021

Web Exclusive Articles:
Forest Bathing: Staying Connected In Current Times
Living Trees As Our Teachers And Friends
Restoring the Midwest Oak Savanna Ecosystem
The Sun, Flutes, And Angelica

Member Survey

We have been busy at the Sanctuary during this respite of events and travel. We established campsites to host visitors safely and have expanded our gardens and propagation efforts. We have worked hard to venture into online learning with the Goldenseal Summit, the concert for the plants, and the International Herb Symposium. The Board of Directors has taken on the task of updating the strategic plan for the organization, and on the website, we have a survey where we invite members to share input into the work of United Plant Savers. The Board also has three working committees: the strategic planning and development committee, the At-Risk list committee, and the diversity and outreach committee.

In a nutshell, we are growing, and with the increase in membership comes opportunity to expand the work of United Plant Savers. We invite your engagement as we grow with intention to address the ever-changing landscapes of plant conservation. Please consider taking a few minutes to complete the following member survey.