Tree teaching the way of light

Each tree has unique gifts that contribute to the health of the forest community. For example, alder partners with bacteria to rebuild soil health while bigleaf maple willingly invites many species of plants and animals to live in its canopy. Willow demonstrates flexibility in the midst of environmental change, while cedar generously provides people with gifts of shelter, medicine, and materials for making traditional technologies. How can we look to trees as teachers? In this program presenters will share knowledge and stories about regional trees from the Plant Teachings for Growing Social-Emotional Skills Toolkit and the Tend, Gather and Grow curriculum. Participants will learn tips for identifying Northwest native trees and strategies for deepening their relationship with local tree species.

Speaker Bios
Elise Krohn, M.Ed. is an educator, author, herbalist, and native foods specialist. She is the Wild Foods and Medicines Program Director at GRuB (Garden Raised Bounty) in Olympia, WA. During her 20 years of experience teaching in tribal communities, she has worked with elders and cultural specialists to create community gardens, food sovereignty resources, and curricula on chronic disease prevention. She also has experience as a clinical herbalist, and has authored three books and several educational resources. To learn more about educational resources visit https://www.goodgrub.org/wild-foods/w.... Elise’s blog can be found at www.wildfoodsandmedicines.com .

Sable Ka’ohulani Bruce is from the Hawai'ian Islands. She primarily works as a mindfulness-based licensed mental health counselor and has experience working with Indigenous communities, military families, and youth in foster care. Over the last 3 years she has deepened her understanding of traditional foods and medicine in the region, and has been part of team developing and teaching social and emotional education through the wild plant foods and medicines program at GRuB (Garden Raised Bounty). She values creating sustainable relationships with our environment, including supporting local small scale organic farming for food security. Sable believes that healing happens through the re-connection to self, spirit, community, and the natural world.