Plant Allies: Local Herbal Medicinal Plants – Guided Educational Hike

Plant Allies: Local Herbal Medicinal Plants – Guided Educational Hike

Hike Overview Continued

Instructor: Heather Nack-Culbreth

August 26, 2023: Our wild lands are a living pharmacy valued throughout history for their ability to aid our everyday aches and pains and help us in emergency situations. This class will meander into one or more of Glacier National Park’s ecosystems to explore nature’s medicine cabinets, looking at several plants that have been used historically as medicine. This class will focus on identification and traditional uses. We will utilize plant families to help the identification process. You are encouraged to bring a camera and journal to record and help with future identification. If you are also interested in learning how to harvest and prepare medicinal herbs, be sure to sign up for Herbal First Aid Kit Guided Day Hike.

Meeting Place: Glacier Institute Field Camp

Itinerary: (subject to change due to trail closures and weather)
Class will begin at Glacier Institute Field Camp at 7 a.m., with a brief introduction to the course and to one another. We will discuss plant identification, wild crafting ethics, the laws governing wild crafting, and talk about some of the best herbal reference books. After a brief break, we will spend the day exploring the West Glacier – Apgar area, identifying and discussing plants in these ecosystems. The course will end by 4 p.m. and will not be cancelled due to weather.

Food: Please bring a trail lunch, plenty of water and snacks for the day.

Park Entrance Fees: Participants are responsible for purchasing their park entry passes prior to the course. These can be purchased online at: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74280

Equipment: You will receive a Glacier Institute Field Camp gear list once you register. Most importantly, bring comfortable hiking shoes, at least 1-2-liter water bottle, backpack, rain gear, hat, and sunscreen. Weather can be varied so please be prepared with appropriate clothing, with warm layers. You may want to bring a notepad and pencil as well as a camera for photographing plants. If you have a favorite field guide or herbals, please bring them to share during the course.

Physical Requirements: Moderate/leisurely hikes, up to 3 miles or so, and/or 500 ft. elevation gain, with lots of discussion and learning breaks.