B.S. Geography & Education, Environmental Science - Illinois State University.

10+ years in Native Land Management and Native Gardening.

3+ years in small scale nursery management

Hello all, before anything else, I would like to say how much of an honor and privilege it is for me to be a part of Braided Roots. I consider myself extremely lucky to be in a position in which I can pass along the knowledge which has been shared with me. 

I believe that each one of us plays a role in our society, however small or large it may be. While we can’t change large scale issues we all face today, we can spread kindness, understanding, and empathy to those in our social sphere. Through that, I hope we can all create the change we want to see in the world.

With my background in native plants and restoration of native ecosystems, I have always struggled with the idea of non-native plants planted in our area. It’s hard, if not impossible, to define a clear line of what should or should not be here. While some plants are easy to distinguish, those are classified as invasive i.e. Buckthorn, Honeysuckle, Reed Canary Grass, Common Reed, the list goes on. However, once we get into plants that are non-native but non-spreading, we can get into a lot of grey area. In my humble opinion, I believe that there is a place for these plants to exist alongside the natives. I like to think of it metaphorically like people. Here on what’s known to Indigenous Peoples as Turtle Island, were entire civilizations that were just as advanced, albeit in different ways, as European civilizations. Colonists came and forcibly removed those who called this land home. While not all people are the same, as it is with plants. Some people or plants are kind to each other and respect each other, these I like to call “good neighbors”. Others do not, and they are remnants of people who have invaded this land to take what is not theirs, “bad neighbors”. What has been done in the past has been done, all we can do now is reconcile, admit, apologize, and do everything we can to attempt to begin to address all the atrocities that have been committed to the land and the First Nations of this land.

Philosophically, for me, this is where I see Braided Roots having the ability to bring communities together for healing of all kinds through the reconnection with the land, nature, or Mother Earth. I think that all of us can be healed through a deep spiritual connection to the land. Through this, we can gain a profound respect for Mother Earth and see our role in the tangled web of life. Braided Roots has the mission of bringing people from all different backgrounds to heal the land, and thereby healing the people of the land. We all live here, and as Robin Wall-Kimmerer so eloquently put it in her book The Service Berry: “becoming Indigenous to a place means shifting from a mindset of human exceptionalism to one of reciprocity, living as if your life and future depend on the land, much like the original inhabitants did. This involves deep listening, learning the land's specific stories and needs, practicing gratitude, and giving back gifts to the place, treating the land as a relative and teacher, not just a resource”. I believe when we begin to strive for this, we open our minds and begin to learn new ways to see the world and in return to see ourselves and our place within it.

Our name comes from the idea of plant people from all backgrounds or “roots” should be able “braid” together for a common goal, of healing this land and the land’s stewards. That idea has become our name: Braided Roots.

B.S. Botany - Portland State University

A.S. Biology - College of Lake County

Collegiate studies focusing on botany, organic farming, and herbal medicine.  Herbal medicine certification from Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. Anatomy and physiology from Heartstone Center for Earth Essentials. Herbal phytochemistry from Lisa Ganora. Intuitive Plant Medicine from Asia Suler. Medicine Making for Professionals from Herbal Medics Academy. Along with hands on experience working with numerous permaculture and farming non-profits in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, and India. Currently finishing herbalist training at David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies. Previous owner of Innertwine Herbs from 2020-2025; a small local business crafting herbal medicine products along with providing herbal education & resources.

Welcome to our blossoming community! I have been following the path of Earth oriented wisdom for sometime now, searching for how to fulfill my calling. Our current society keeps stretching farther away from our interconnectedness within nature. Cultivating food, harvesting medicine, tuning into the Earth and sharing this wisdom with our children; in my eyes, are simple, yet profound ways to live. Our friends, family and community have expressed this desire to reach back to the land. Our goal at Braided Roots is to organize, educate and share this wisdom with all.

My studies and travels have educated me in numerous ways, and I have gained extensive knowledge passed down from the generations before me. We strive to acknowledge our ancestors and keep the traditional wisdom alive through our educational programs. I began my journey studying Biology and Botany throughout University, then participating in work/trade opportunities with homesteads, small organic farms, coffee plantations, fruit orchards and permaculture centers. Herbal medicine has been the focus on my path; supporting people with our power plant allies. I find immense empowerment being able to forage, grow and prepare my own food and medicine. These aspects of self sufficiency are what I want to share to our community!

We see Earth centered wisdom and medicine as a gift, not to be withheld or used to bring monetary profit. Will and I feel so blessed to "Braid" all aspects of our shared environmental knowledge to connect people back to nature. Thank you for joining on us on this mission! We are so grateful to be stewards of this land and to support the healing of our community and Mother Nature.