Ancient Evergreens Class

Description

As Fall moves towards Winter, we invite you to gather around the evergreens — those steadfast teachers of patience, resilience, and community.

This class is built for plant lovers, herbalists, and anyone seeking reconnection with nature. Come learn, breathe, and be inspired by the green heart of winter!

Together, we’ll explore:

• Cultural and Ecological stories of the Ancient Evergreens
• Tree Identification: Meet the common conifers in your neck of the woods
• Forest Bathing and the benefits of being among evergreens
• Conifer Medicine — from aromatic body oils to teas and honeys, learn to make medicine with conifers
• Ten timeless lessons trees offer us about living well

This two-session webinar honors the conifers that brighten the darker months with green resilience and aromatic delight. Through story, science, and sensory exploration, learn how to identify conifer families and species, understand their ecological importance, and connect with their cultural and healing traditions—from winter celebrations to forest bathing and medicine making.

Along the way, we’ll reflect on Ten Lessons from Trees—timeless teachings of patience, resilience, generosity, balance, and the power of community—revealed through the lives of the evergreens.

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Session 1: Stories and Science of the Ancient Evergreens

• The symbolic power of evergreens in the winter season

• Conifer myths, rituals, and stories of light and renewal

• Major conifer families and key identification traits

• Adaptations and ecological roles across diverse landscapes

• Exceptional trees and what they teach us about endurance and presence

• Tree Lesson Highlights: Patience, adaptability, and rootedness

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Session 2: Healing in the Grove — Medicinal, Aromatic, and Sensory Gifts

• Forest bathing and the benefits for your body and mind

• Making Medicine with Conifers—resins, teas, honeys, salves, oils, and more

• The ritual and sacred use of conifer resins and scents

• Ethical harvesting and sustainable connection

• Tree Lesson Highlights: Generosity, interconnection, and the strength of community

Our hope is that you will leave this fun class with practical tools, recipes, and reflections from the Ten Lessons from Trees, bringing evergreen wisdom and wellbeing into winter life.

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ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS

Allison Poklemba is a teacher, botanist, herbalist, environmental educator, Co-director of Dandelion Herbal Center, Co-founder of Backcountry Press, artist, mother, friend, and always curious student of nature. When in the mountains you can find her with nose deep in the bark of a Jeffrey Pine enjoying its sweet vanilla scent. She has been concocting potions since childhood and teaching at Dandelion Herbal Center since 2002 — she also carries a special place in her heart just for seaweed.

Michael Kauffmann is an author, teacher, ecologist, Co-founder of Backcountry Press, and affectionately referred to as “Conifermann.” He has authored or co-authored six books including the beloved Conifer Country, Conifers of the Pacific Slope, and California Trees: A Field Guide to the 95 Native Species. Michael’s work as a curriculum developer for Save the Redwoods League has introduced thousands of children (and adults!) to the majesty and magic of Old Growth conifer forests, and his work researching the impact of climate change on high elevation conifers in guiding their conservation efforts.