Hikes & Workshops
Our native plant hikes and edible mushroom forays explore northwest Oregon and beyond. We visit our favorite places at peak times, encountering orchids in bloom and fungi in flush. These trips are educational and experiential.

The herbalism workshops span a broad range of topics. Some provide hands-on experience in gathering and crafting homemade herbal remedies; other classes explore the materia medica of a certain condition or season. Among our offerings for 2010 are:


Medicinals in the City
Sunday, Sunday, August 15th, 1pm-2pm
 - with Gradey Proctor
This free event will start at the Herb Shoppe and then explore the neighborhoods of SE Portland to learn what common garden plants and weeds we can use for healing. We will discuss plant identification, medicinal and edible uses, and harvesting. There will be many other free events at the Herb Shoppe throughout the day, so come check it out!
Location: Herb Shoppe (3327 SE Hawthorne).
Cost: Free!


Up on the Mountain
Saturday, September 4th, 9am-5pm
 - with Gradey Proctor
On this journey we'll spend our time high on Mount Hood, where the trees give way to Valerian, Arnica, and False Hellebore. We'll take in the mountain air and meet many new plants while we talk about ways of reclaiming our health. This will likely be your last chance to see so many flowers 'til next spring, so come along!
Carpool will leave from SE Portland.
Cost: $25-$35. Registration required by Sept. 1st - email gradey@arctosschool.org.


Urban Edibles in Autumn
Saturday, September 11th, 10am-1pm
 - with Gradey Proctor
Ever wonder if you can eat that weed coming up from the crack in the sidewalk? What about the orange berries looming over the fence from the neighbor's yard? This class will be an exploration in plant i.d. and how to prepare and eat nutritious wild and not-so-wild foods. Bring along water and a snack. All walking speeds welcome.
Meet at SE Division & 31st, in front of the coffee shop.
Cost: $15-$25, sliding scale. No registration necessary.


Mushrooms & Medicinals
Saturday, September 25th, 9am-5pm
 - with Missy Rohs
The hunt is on! Each autumn, a spectacular array of fungi unfolds before us. Join us in a hunt for tasty edible mushrooms like Chanterelles and Lobsters, as well as an exploration of the medicinal plants such as Oregon Grape and Salal that abound in the same habitat. If we get lucky, you'll come home with a basket of tasty treats!
Carpool will leave from SE Portland.
Cost: $25-$35, sliding scale. Registration required by Sept. 22nd - email missy@arctosschool.org.


An Alphabet of Herbs!
Four Thursdays, October 7th-28th, 6:45pm-9pm
 - with Missy Rohs
In this four-class program, each evening will be devoted to six different herbs, botanically working our way from A through Z. Detailed Materia Medica sheets on each plant will be provided, describing the medicinal uses as well as the magical aspects of plants. We'll explore each herb through taste, touch, and smell. Both old local faves and obscure medicinals from outside of our ecosystem will be featured, making this class fun for intermediate herbalists and new herb enthusiasts alike. A wonderful way to get to know our green friends better!
Class will be held in SE Portland.
Cost: $105 for the series; $90 if paid by Sept. 23rd. Registration required - email missy@arctosschool.org.


Personalized classes, by appointment
 - with Missy Rohs
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make tinctures, salves, and other healing preparations out of herbs? Or are you dying to find out what medicinal plants are growing in your garden? How to Make Herbal Remedies, Backyard Medicine, and other herb classes can be personalized to suit your needs. Contact us to discuss workshops for individuals, groups, or organizations in the Portland area. We would love to share the art of folk medicine with you!