Ethnobotany Workshops at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary

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Ethnobotany – the study of how people use native plants – is a vital foundation for becoming a well-rounded Naturalist. Here you can explore the plant world in this catch-all class that covers the many uses we humans have for our local, native plants. Vincent Pinto has a Master’s Degree in Ethnobotany over 35 years of experience using native plants across North America and the globe for a variety of purposes.

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During an Ethnobotany workshop you will learn how to locate, identify, and use a wide variety of Sky Islands Plants for:

Food
Medicine
Fire-making – without matches!
First Aid
Hygiene
Shelter
Tools
Navigation
Dyes
Musical Instruments
Art
Glues and Adhesives
…. and much more!

Several Stone-age take-home crafts can serve as a reminder of your new incredible wealth of plant wisdom, if you would like this to be a hands-on class. Truly there is no better way of learning about Nature than actually participating in it! Not only will you discover fascinating information about plants during your Ethnobotany Adventure, but you’ll also explore how ancient people survived and thrived in the southwest during bygone days. Further, many of the plant uses learned in southeast Arizona are applicable across various regions of the U.S. and beyond. You can also choose to enjoy an indoor “Ethnobotany: Useful Plants of the Sky Islands” slide show, showcasing the uses of our native plants.

RAVEN’S-NEST PLANT LIST

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WILD EDIBLE & USEFUL PLANTS WALK

The Sky Islands of Arizona are home to a staggering number of plant species that can be used by humans. Ever eaten a Prickly Pear Fruit or witnessed a fire made only with plant parts and without modern tools? Here is your chance to discover these and other botanical wonders. Ethnobotanist Vincent Pinto will be your guide at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary as you learn how to find, identify, collect, process, and use a broad spectrum of plants for: Food, Fire, Shelter, Medicine, Tools, Basketry, Art, Rope-making, Containers, Dyes, and more!

WILD EDIBLE PLANTS WORKSHOP

Arizona contains an incredible array of delicious and nutritious native plants that formed the dietary basis for the progression of cultures that preceded our modern era. Now you too can learn to supplement your existing diet with these tasty resources, as well as safeguard yourself and others in a survival situation.

Exploring among the area’s deserts streams, forests, and grasslands you’ll learn how to find, identify, harvest, process, eat, and store a plethora of wild taste treats. We’ll also look at a hunter-gatherer diet for the area, cover a variety of stone-age cooking techniques, discuss safely using wild edibles, and make several plant-collecting/ processing tools. By the end of the class you’ll count each plant as, literally, a friend for life.

WILD MEDICINAL PLANTS WORKSHOP

Using the diversity of Sky Islands environments at our disposal, we’ll delve into a wide variety of natural, plant-based medicines. During the class we’ll address such ailments as: headaches, stomachaches, sore muscles, infections, bleeding, abrasions, eye infections, sore throat, colds, and more. You’ll also prepare your own herbal salve and wild teas to take home. Learn how Nature heals all!