Join San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden on Friday, April 12 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m, as Violet Sage Walker prepares a unique experience in Chumash culture and local plant ecology. In this workshop, Walker will share the various relationships with food and medicine plants and how to better understand the benefits of herbal salves. Attendees will explore traditional use of native and non-native herbs, learn ethical harvesting techniques, and ecology from an indigenous perspective. Guests will leave with a new appreciation and understanding of the Chumash people, native and non-native healing herbs, and the earth to beauty-counter cycle. Attendees will also take home a sample of the healing salve customized for each student. Light refreshments provided.
Pre-registration is required for this intimate offering. The workshop is $45 Garden Members and $55 for public. For more information and to register, visit slobg.org.
Violet Sage Walker, is an indigenous woman and co-chair of the Northern Chumash Tribe. Born in Avila Beach, a great granddaughter of Chumash Vaquero, Antonio Lopez of Lopez Canyon, Violet has deep roots in the San Luis Obispo area. An expert in several areas, her specialty is in herbal skin care, salves, essential oil blending, wild harvesting and making high end all natural bath and body spa products. Incorporating the modern science in combination with ancient teaching, Violet, follows the teachings of her elders and legends and has created her own unique signature of products. Her background in religion, politics, and activism gives Violet a unique understanding and acceptance in diverse groups. Violet calls it an obligation to speak for those plants and animals who have no voice, and because of her background and interests and open honest communication style, learning is fun, social and focused on creating a legacy of her culture through the students. Violet says “What we have we share, it’s a gift and obligation, people won’t protect what people don’t understand. Everyone is welcome.”
About San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is celebrating its 30th year of sowing seeds and growing together. The Garden is located at 3450 Dairy Creek Rd. It is spread out on 150 acres in El Chorro Regional Park off Highway 1 between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. When the master plan is complete, the Garden will be the only garden of its kind in the United States exclusively devoted to the ecosystems and plants of the five Mediterranean climate regions of the world. Through its programs and facilities, the Garden fosters an appreciation and understanding of the relationship between people and nature and encourages a sense of stewardship for the natural environment. To learn more visit slobg.org, or the SLO Botanical Garden Facebook page.