Botanical Studies

What is the Columbines School?

The Columbines School of Botanical Studies offers a unique educational program ranging from entry level lectures in community herbalism to a two plus year program including botany, ecology, wildcrafting, plant pharmacy, physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical herbalism. Operating for over twenty-five years, we specialize in field programs where the majority of the classes are outside with the plants for a truly ‘hands on’ experience.

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There is still room in our 2011 Herbal Concepts Lecture Series

Spaces are available in the the 26th year of the Herbal Concepts and Materia Medica lecture series starting Thursday, April 15, 2010! This 43 hour lecture series will give the student knowledge of herbalism without the botany and fieldwork of our full Apprenticeship Program. It is designed to illustrate herbal fundamental principles using northwestern medicinal plants. These native herbs were intentionally selected to serve as an accessible medicine chest and an herbal basis for further learning. Herbal preparations and medicine making labs are included throughout term. No pre-requisite required. More Info --- Last Year’s Syllabus --- The Poster

2010 First Year Field Apprenticeship is Full!

There is still space in the 2011 Field Apprenticeship, and we will continue interviewing again in September 2010. The best way to assure a space in the interview process is to fill out an interview request form and send it to us. There is room in our introductory lecture series, . This doesn’t require an interview, will allow you to continue with Physiology for the Herbalist in the fall of 2010, and gives you the pre-requisites to continue with the Second Year Lecture Series in 2011.

Botanical Adventure and Exploration of Isla Magdelena Rescheduled

Starting in the Chilean summer of December 2010 and January 2011, a group of explorers will set out on an extraordinary expedition. They will be trail blazing into the unexplored interior of a 790-square mile Patagonian island. Based upon total lack of evidence of previous habitation, they may be the first humans ever to enter this rugged interior in recorded history! As far as we know, it is less explored than the moon. Do you want to be part of this history in the making, like Lewis and Clark?

New Michael Moore Tribute Video

Michael Moore Tribute: Howie Brounstein talks about his herbal mentor Michael Moore who passed away in February of 2009.

What is Botany?

Botany is the science of plants: their life, structure, growth, classification, as well as the study of the plant life in a specific area. In this section you will find plant lists of the western United States, original articles and links pertaining to the science of plant identification, as well as other aspects of the scientific study of plant life.

What is Wildcrafting?

Wildcrafting is gathering plant material from its native "wild" environment. Wildcrafting is stewardship. This means we take care of the land and our plant populations or stands. We harvest in a way that insures the health of the stand for our children. We should be able to return to this stand year after year. It will teach us many secrets about ecology and population dynamics. It is not a one-night stand.