Women's Herbal Symposium Focuses On Sustainability

By Sarah O'Leary

Way before the term "zero waste event" became sexy, the Northern California Women's Herb Symposium came close to achieving that goal.

Back in 1991, when the first symposium kicked off at its original location in Sonoma County, participants were asked to furnish their own plates, cups and utensils to enjoy the gourmet vegetarian meals they would be served.

And it wasn't just a "try to remember" kind of thing. Paper plates simply were not available. If you didn't bring a plate you had to share with a friend or get really creative!

Although the 4-day Symposium has described itself as "A Gathering for Women Who Love Plants," this outdoor conference encompasses so much more than simply teaching and sharing the knowledge of herbalists.

Organizers Terri Jensen and Karen Aguiar strive to create and maintain a gathering that has a minimal impact on the land where it is held.

"Everything we do is with environmental sustainability in mind," said Jensen. "I mean, how can we do anything but that? We are such lovers of the plants and the natural world that it is in our nature to be as gentle as we can."

In addition to buying and using environmentally friendly products, Jensen said they source as much product as they can from local farmers and producers.

"We minimize the use of disposable products as much as possible," she added. "We use what we have or can find, we reuse and reuse and reuse."

Reusable dishes are just a start. Women searching for a trash can at the Symposium have to look pretty hard. Except for one small can behind the kitchen, intended for kitchen waste only, nary a wastebasket is to be found - not even in the bathroom stalls. The result? Each attendee must think about exactly what they were going to throw out, why they were going to throw it out, and what throwing something "out" really means. I.E. there is no 'out'.

This isn't a class or a workshop, it's just a little environmental life lesson that slips in to this long weekend of learning.

"By having attendees be responsible for their own trash, we have seen how it has brought a lot of environmental awareness about the use of disposable products," Aguiar said. "Really there is very little that we send to the landfill. Usually we have one or two of those home plastic trash containers for the landfill per weekend, and that's for about 400 folks."

Participants camp beneath the ancient oak trees, either in their own tents or in one of 16 community teepees. Along with three yummy, nutritious meals each day and plentiful herbal teas, they have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of plants and herbs through numerous classes and intensives offered throughout the day.

The Symposium gives women of all ages and from all walks of life a   chance for a low-cost nature retreat, and it is virtually impossible to leave without at least a few kernels of inspiration abloom. In addition to the herbal teachings, class offerings include seaweed gathering excursions, plant identification walks, gardening, healthy lifestyle, craft workshops, ritual creation, dance, solar energy, environmental practices and more.

Children are welcomed (although there is a limit so it is advisable to sign up early if bringing children) and elementary school aged kids are entertained and informed by a variety of "mid-kids" classes such as nature skits, puppet-making, singing and various crafts. A child-care area welcomes younger children so their moms and aunties can attend workshops without worries.

The Symposium started out with one session over Memorial Day weekend, but soon expanded to two separate weekends after having to turn too many women away. Each session hosts up to 400 women and children. In 2002, a third session was added in early September with the intention of integrating a focus on environmental sustainability.

This year's Symposium will take place over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28, and Labor Day weekend, August 31-September 3, at Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville.

"The vast majority of our teachers are from the local area and working in the field," said Jensen. "We are interested in bringing together women in our local communities, as teachers and as students.

We bring in women whose work we admire, yet whose voices may not be often heard."

In addition to the more than 40 classes to choose from, symposium participants spend the weekend making new friends, networking and enjoying a variety of other activities. A Saturday night talent show invites attendees to showcase their performing expertise and a Sunday afternoon marketplace gives an opportunity for people to display and sell their handmade wares.

On Sunday evening, the young women who are entering menarche are honored in a Coming of Age Rites-of-Passage Ceremony. A Crone celebration follows, paying homage to the women who have passed through the years of maidenhood and motherhood. Drumming and dancing under the stars wrap up the final evening of the weekend.

Work exchange and Crone discount spots are available, but those spots can fill up fast.

But remember - you'll need to bring your own dishes and think carefully about what you bring. You'll be packing out all your own trash.

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