Upcoming Events
Challenges and Opportunities with Exotic Invasive Plants
Mountain Gardens in Celo, NC
We will focus in this class on plant family patterns and what they indicate regarding identification and ethnobotanical application of exotic invasive plants for food, medicine and beauty. A big focus of the class will underpin the opportunities to employ these plants and effectively make use of a problem by turning it into a resource as well as analyzing the word choice used to describe these beings. We will take an in depth look at some of the prime exotic invasive plants occurring in the southeastern United States as well as a more general exotic invasive plant list of over 150 useful species from the region and unusual examples currently peculiar to Mtn Gardens. We will finish our time with a sampling of snacks and beverages embodying what Invasivorism looks like in an applied, delicious and efficient manner.
Contact mountaingardens@gmail.com to RSVP or with any questions.
Fee: Sliding Scale
Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine Plant Walk
Dupont State Forest
Facilitating a plant walk where we also get to take in three waterfalls in one day!
https://www.blueridgeschool.org/
Fee: Priceless private event
Terra Sylva School Plant Walk
Black Balsam
Plant walk for the Terra Sylva school at high elevation off the Blue Ridge Parkway
https://www.terrasylvaschool.com/
Time: 9 a.m. - 5p.m.
Fee: Priceless private event
Challenges and Opportunities with Exotic Invasive Plants
North Country Herbalist Guild Minneapolis, MN
We will focus in this class on plant family patterns and what they indicate regarding identification and ethnobotanical application of exotic invasive plants for food, medicine and beauty. A big focus of the class will underpin the opportunities to employ these plants and effectively make use of a problem by turning it into a resource. We will take an in depth look at some of the prime exotic invasive plants occurring in the midwestern United States as well as a more general exotic invasive plant list of over 150 useful species from the region.
More info at the following link https://nchg.org/
Fee: $5 suggested donation, members free
Great Lakes Herb Faire
Cedar Lake Outdoor Center outside Chelsea, MI
This is one of my favorite events ever attended of the over 100 experienced over the decades. Will update info once the schedule is announced.
https://www.greatlakesherbfaire.org/
Fee: Variable Pricing
Plant Walk for the Detroit Region Herbal Collaborative
Belle Isle, MI
Plant walk around the Lighthouse at Belle Isle. We will focus on plant families and mainly woody plants in particular from identification to sustainable ethnobotanical application. If of interest we might meet up earlier for some time in the conservatory too. Contact me directly to express interest and let us know you will be coming marc at botanyeveryday dot com.
Further details about the Detroit Region Herbal Collaborative at the following link.
http://www.detroitregionherbalcollaborative.org/home.html
Fee: By donation
Afrobotany
Bloodroot Herb Shop in Ypsilanti, MI
In this class we will explore a multitude of contributions from African Americans to the farm, garden, herbal, horticultural and scientific traditions of the United States. Items of focus will include crops brought to the USA from Africa, traditional diets combining those plants with the native plants of the Americas and the food as medicine practices that have grown from this synthesis. Other aspects will include an exploration of African American garden aesthetics, innovations in plant science and landscape practices in the USA and beyond.
Further info and register at the following link https://www.bloodrootherbshop.com
Fee:
Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering
John's Island, South Carolina
Excited to finally attend this annual gathering. For one of the few times in my career in the last fifteen years my role will be solely as a student and at least not formally as a teacher. That said excited to absorb as much as possible of the wisdom of the elders that they care to share.
https://www.gullahgeecheeherbalgathering.com/
Fee: Variable Pricing
The Poison Plant Path
The Herbiary in Asheville, NC
More info at the following link https://www.herbiary.com/
Fee: $30 - 50 Sliding Scale
2026 U.S. National Plant Conservation Leadership Summit
Missouri Botanical Garden
A meeting of many of the executives of the best botanical institutions of the United States to focus on a unified plant conservation agenda and the sharing of research and best practices in the field annually. The non-profit United Plant Savers is part of this forum and has requested my participation.
Time:Fee: By invite only
A Botany Talk and Plant Walk
New Hanover County Arboretum Education Center (6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC)
Join ethnobiologist Marc Williams for a two-part exploration of plant family patterns common to the Southeastern US. Hundreds of thousands of plant species are known to science, organized into over 400 plant families. Once you learn to recognize the top 30 or so flowering plant families around you, you'll begin spotting them everywhere. We'll start indoors with a presentation on the major plant groups of the Southeast, covering trends in leaf, flower, and fruit types along with their ecosystem services and ethnobotanical uses. Then we'll head outside for a guided plant walk through the Arboretum gardens to reinforce those identification skills in the field, observing the same plant families up close. Together, the talk and walk will give participants a comprehensive, hands-on understanding of the major botanical groups of Southern US flora and their connection to the broader web of life.
More info and register at the following link.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-botany-talk-and-plant-walk-with-marc-williams-tickets-1997895269533
Time: 1 - 4 p.m.
Fee: Priceless! Free...
Southeastern NC Herbal Conference
Old River Farm Burgaw, NC
The 3rd Annual SENC Herbal Conference
On November 7-8, 2026, join us in Burgaw, NC for the 3rd Annual Southeastern North Carolina Herbal Conference – where local herbalists and the herbal-curious come together for a day of celebration, education and community!
The 2026 SENC Herbal Conference will leave participants feeling connected, inspired, and equipped to continue supporting their community’s health – physically, emotionally, and economically.
Surround yourself with other passionate, enthusiastic people who are excited to learn from one another and celebrate the rich ecosystem we call home!
i will be offering a class on Prime Plant and Practices for Aphrodisiac Consideration and Formulation.
More information and registration at the following link https://sencherbalconference.com
Fee: Variable Pricing
Botany by Family: The Key to See
Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, NC
Learning to notice plant family patterns can greatly aid in demystifying the “green wall” of plant species around us. Hundreds of thousands of species of flowering plants are known to global science, and these species have been grouped into over 400 flowering plant families. By learning the top 30 plant families growing around you, you will begin to recognize plants everywhere you go. After an indoor presentation on the major plant families common to the Southeastern US, reinforce your plant identification skills on a walk in the Gardens to observe family patterns in leaf, flower and fruit types. Discuss edibility, medicinality, craft, wildlife support and landscape beauty as you gain a more holistic understanding of the major plants comprising Southern US flora and their potential ecological and ethnobotanical applications.
Accessibility: This will be a small group program that takes place partially seated indoors and partially outdoors traveling on a combination of paved and unpaved paths with some uneven surfaces and moderate inclines.
Register at the link below
https://gardens.duke.edu/learn/adult-programs/
Fee: Variable Pricing