Teachers

Whether he's pointing out poisen ivy, pontificating on poke sallet, crooning about creasy greens, jiving about ginseng, or extolling the virtues of dandelions, herbalist, author and storyteller, Doug Elliot is known for his lively presentations as well as his broad, practical, scientific, and cultural knowledge of useful wild plants.

He will be presenting lively, informative programs of traditional and contemporary plant lore, and scientific information, as well as stories, songs, and outrageous personal narratives celebrating some of America's favorite, edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful wild plants. He flavors his program with regional dialects, lively harmonica riffs, and more than a few belly laughs.

Elliott has spent a great deal of time with traditional country folk and indigenous people, learning their stories, folklore and traditional ways of relating to plants. For many years he made his living gathering and selling herbs. In recent years he has performed and taught from Canada to the Caribbean, including workshops and programs at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and the Smithsonian Institution. He has taught regularly at the Gaia Herb Symposium, the Green Nations Gathering and Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. He has trained rangers for the National Park Service and guided people on wilderness experiences from Down-east Maine to the Florida Everglades. He has been a featured storyteller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN and was named harmonica champion at Fiddler's Grove Festival in Union Grove, NC.

He writes articles for regional and national magazines. He has authored five books and produced a number of award winning recordings of stories and songs. His first book, WILD ROOTS, An Underground Botany and Forager's Guide, has been around for thirty years and is considered an "underground" classic. In 1995 it was given a new cover and re-released by Healing Arts Press.

www.dougelliott.com

Rootstalk Classes

Weeds, Woodslore and Useful Wild Plants
Explore the woods the meadows and the pond edges focusing on the great variety of medicinal, edible, and otherwise useful wild plants - their botany, natural history and folklore, as well as their traditional and contemporary uses. We will also be aware of mushrooms, birds, insects, and other critters that texture our outdoor experiences.

Woodslore and Wildwoods Wisdom
Stories, songs, and lore celebrating the healing herbs and our mythic connection to nature.