6-month Spring/Summer 
Classroom & Field Study Program

March - August 2014
Meets one weekend each month

Instructor: Tellur Fenner

Want to learn more about the program?
Join us for a free Introduction on Sept 7, 2013 

The Central California coast (between Mendocino & Monterey Counties) is a region of much geographic, climatic, and floristic diversity. Traveling east from the Pacific Ocean to the rugged 7,000’+ peaks of the Inner Coast Ranges one can witness a great variety of different plant communities, including: coastal strand, coastal scrub, salt/freshwater marshes, coastal prairie, redwood forest, mixed evergreen forest, riparian woodland, chaparral, valley grassland, oak woodland, subalpine forest, and others. Similarly, a north-south exploration of the region reveals a dramatic botanical transition as well, with moisture dependent northern species giving way to the more drought tolerant species to the south. With that said it is no wonder the central coast is home to literally THOUSANDS of noteworthy edible/medicinal plants!   

Join us on this journey of discovery as we follow the plants through the spring/summer seasons while learning about their many historical and contemporary uses. Class will meet one weekend per month for a total of 6 months. The May and July classes will be extended to 2.5 day sessions (Friday afternoon-Sunday evening) and will take place in both the North-Central Coast and South-Central Coast regions (details listed below).

This interdisciplinary foundational course will engage the student on 3 levels: 

1. Interactive Classroom Lecture
2. Hands-On Workshops
3. Field Study

In addition, the program will be structured around two main themes: Seasonal Plant Study & Bioregional Field Exploration. Meaning, we will focus our attention on the most distinctive plant communities found throughout our region while following the peak bloom season of each particular area. The goal of which is to give the student a solid background on the identification and use of the primary edible/medicinal plants found growing around the central coast. Because the bulk of the course will take place at the Regenerative Design Institute near Bolinas, CA (located in Marin County), this will be our main area of focus. Our study will emphasize a dynamic sensory awareness of the plants via close observation, touching, tasting, and smelling. We will visit other regions of the central coast during two three 3-day camping trips. This comprehensive, full immersion botanical intensive should prove to be insightful and rewarding for anyone interested in knowing more about the unique flora of our region. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 Tiers of the program

The course is generalist by design, and holds as its central premise that a contextual approach to understanding both edible and medicinal plants will be the most useful for the student in the long run. The 3 tiers of the program will include the following class subjects and activities:

I. Interactive Classroom Lecture 

• Beginning/intermediate botany concepts
• California plant family recognition strategies
• Materia medica (medicinal plant uses)
• Edible plant uses
• Sampling of a variety of edible/medicinal plant preparations
• Plant toxicology (poisonous plant study)
• Regional ethnobotany
• Rare & endangered plants of California

II. Hands-On Workshops

• Beginning/intermediate herbal pharmacy (teas/oils/salves/tinctures/percolations)
• Medicinal plant harvesting and processing methods (along with legal/ethical guidelines)• Seasonal edible plant harvest/preparation

III. Field Study

• 2 camping trips described above
• 4 day-long herb walks through a variety of unique plant habitats found across the central coast region (these in addition to the many walks that will occur during our 2 camping trips)
• Field taxonomy/plant ID instruction
• Utilitarian plant uses
• California plant communities
• Natural history of California

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extended Field Trips:

South Coast Ranges: May 24-26
Monterey County - Los Padres National Forest, Ventana Wilderness

The Ventana Wilderness region marks the transition zone in the California Coast Ranges where the moisture dependent northern floristic elements are replaced by those better adapted to the warmer and more arid conditions that are present. Some of the plants we’re likely to come across on our daily treks include: Foothill Yucca, Hummingbird Sage, Western Peony, Silk Tassel, Sugar Pine, Wooly Blue Curls, Indian Warrior, and various species of Yerba Santa.  

North Coast Ranges: July 12-14
Lake County - Mendocino National Forest, Snow Mountain Wilderness

Nestled within an unusually rugged, inaccessible, and little known wilderness area, Snow Mountain (7,000’+) is one of the tallest peaks found in the California Coast Ranges. The region’s unique montane flora is reminiscent of both NW California and the Sierras and includes such useful plants as: Blue Elderberry, Arnica, Bleeding Heart, Corn Lily, Fireweed, Red Root, Milkweed, Chokecherry…just to name a few. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Course Schedule

Class will meet one weekend per month for a total of 6 months. Two classes will be extended to 2.5 day sessions (Friday afternoon-Sunday evening)

Regular Sessions

Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm

Extended Sessions

Friday: 3pm-7pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm

Session Dates

Check back soon....

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Course Fees

$995  Tuition for the 6-month program
$925  Early Bird discount, paid in full 4 weeks prior to start of course

Course fees include camping & basic course materials.
Meals are not included.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Registration

Registration will be available in the fall of 2013.

Pre-registration is necessary to hold your space. We recommend that you register as early as possible, as many classes fill up in advance. Registration will close two weeks before the beginning of the course.

All fees must be paid in full prior to the start of class.

Refund Policy

Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course begins will be refunded, excluding a $250 processing fee. No refunds are given after that date.

For questions or additional information, contact:
415·868 9681 voicemail or email us

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Course Materials 
Not included in tuition fee

Required Texts 

Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West by Michael Moore

Nature's Garden: Edible Wild Plants by Thayer

Botany in a Day by Thomas Elpel

Total book cost: approximately $45 
(We will purchase Nature's Garden and Botany in a Day as a class at a bulk discount)

Required materials

-Hand-lens (for plant ID)  Cost: $10-35

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Commonweal Garden - What to Know

Please review the What to Know section on our website to be optimally prepared for your time at Commonweal Garden – it includes information regarding transportation options, site accommodations, and general information about Commonweal Garden and the surrounding area.

Meals

Participants are responsible for their food needs during the weekend sessions. Please provide for your breakfast, lunch & snacks on both Saturday & Sunday, and bring a potluck dish to share for dinner on Saturday night. 

Already prepared dishes are recommended. The greenhouse kitchen will be available for simple preparations of food. There are propane burners for heating food, but no oven.

Camping

You are welcome to camp on-site on Saturday nights. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extended Field Trips

The extended field trips will be car-camping - mainly at primitive camping sites (no running water, showers, toilets, picnic tables, etc.). No serious backpacking gear is necessary.

What to bring: 

Tent, Sleeping Bag, Rain Gear
Clothes (for hot/cold weather)
Hiking Boot
Hat/Sunscree
Daypack
Food/Snacks (class fee does not include meals)
Camp Stove, Camping Chair, Camping Pad,
Swimming Suit (for hot springs)
Flashlight
Water Bottle
Firewood
and most importantly...a sense of adventure!

Optional (yet recommended): Notebook, camera, hand lens.