Today’s post is something that’s very near and dear to me, and I wanted to share two impactful organizations that make being an herbalist in todays society possible, and let you know what you can do to support them too, if these groups are serving your life in your greater good somehow.
It takes a LOT to function as a non-profit and stay afloat financially. The below organizations have made a big impact on my (and “our” collective herbalists) ability to grow, flourish and educate in our society today. Please consider checking them out if they resonate with you, or have made an impact for you, and follow the links to donate if you feel compelled this season.
United Plant Savers’ mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. Where once herbal enterprises were few and far between, it is now a competitive marketplace which has increased the demand on wild medicinal plant resources. Other countries with an uninterrupted tradition of herbalism are experiencing a severe shortage of medicinal plants and look to the North American continent for supplying these herbs. This increased usage along with habitat destruction is causing an ever-increasing shortage of wild plant resources, including some of our most treasured medicinal species. Visiting the UPS sanctuary several times as an herbal medicine student truly changed my life, and I continue to be honored to support them as a professional herbalist now. The work of United Plant Savers involves research, education, and conservation of native medicinal plants and their habitats. UpS is a 501 (C)3 non-profit organization.
You can view their incredible list of free resources right here, and follow along with the continued work they’re doing in the field of medicinal plant conservation.
Ways to Give:
You can donate to the United Plant Savers right here, and also become a member right here. They are currently doing a fundraiser for their Goldenseal Botanical Sanctuary which you can donate to right here!
Botanica Mobile Clinic offers herbal consultations to the underserved populations in Charlottesville and surrounding counties in Virginia. All consultations as well as herbal teas and supplements are offered for free, and many herbalists practicing here are graduates of Sacred Plant Traditions, an herb school I know and love. The remedies offered will essentially be geared toward supporting issues concerning digestion, stress, insomnia and pain. Simple teas, syrup and elixirs will be offered as well as practical dietary recommendations that will meet the client’s economic status and health needs. They are currently operating as a non-profit organization through the umbrella foundation Open Hands.
Ways to Give:
You can donate to Botanical Mobile Clinic through Open Hands via their direct PayPal link to Botanical Mobile Clinic right here. If you would like to send a check, please make the check out to Open Hands AND Add Botanica Mobile Clinic in the Memo line. Please send the check to 523 Lexington Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. They also accept herb donations for their clinic and apothecary as well. All proceeds go directly back into supporting community free herbalism and each donation is tax deductible.
I want to thank Sasha Swerdloff for reaching out and facilitating this #giftforgood campaign. Curating our collective awareness about organizations that serve the greater good and is close to our hearts give these important groups the ability to keep doing what they’re doing. Whether it’s sustainable agriculture, reproductive rights, environmental stewardship, gun control, women’s rights, civil rights, food waste, poverty, educational reform…there’s just so much that needs our devoted attention and intentional contributions right now. I encourage all of you to choose a cause that’s close to your heart and donate to that organization on your behalf, or on another’s behalf as a gift for the holiday’s in lieu of material gifts this year.
If you have any herbal medicine-based non-profits that you support I would love to hear about them! Comment below and help spread the word! And Make sure to tag #giftforgood when sharing these via instagram to add your voice to that community!
