[PCA] EVENT: HerbDay October 14 (nationwide)

[Olivia Kwong]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Lynda LeMole" <lynda at unitedplantsavers.org>
To: <native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org>
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 11:20:37 -0700
Subject: How Are You Celebrating Herb Day ? October 14

HERB DAY CELEBRANTS:  PLEASE TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR EVENTS!! SEND US YOUR 
HERB DAY STORIES !!

HerbDay: An Authentic Grass-Roots Movement Takes Root
October 14 Commemorates the Growing Interest in Herbs

Herbs are essential components of everything from dietary supplements to 
incredible gourmet cuisine, beautiful gardens, effective personal care, 
and vital nutrients. And we can't live without them. October 14, 2006, 
marks the first ever HerbDay, which is being celebrated in cities 
throughout the country to honor the role of herbs in our lives.

A two-day keynote event at the U.S. Botanic Garden, on the National Mall 
in Washington DC, is just one of many formal and informal events to be 
held at large and small retail stores, schools, farms and botanical 
gardens, and public parks. New events nationwide - and now in Canada and 
Europe - are still being added to the HerbDay website, 
http://www.herbday.org/. They include lectures and workshops, book 
signings and talks by renowned authors, guided plant identification walks 
with experienced botanists familiar with regional habitats, a wild plant 
rescue, seasonal herbal handcrafts, in-store product demonstrations, 
children's activities, and more. Companies such as Aveda Salons and Spas, 
GNC, Great Earth Vitamins, Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers, The Vitamin 
Shoppe, Traditional Medicinals, Vitamin World, Whole Foods Markets, and 
many more will join in the festivities.

Five national nonprofit organizations, working together as the HerbDay 
Coalition, launched this event - American Botanical Council, American 
Herbalists Guild, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, American Herbal Products 
Association, and United Plant Savers. Other organizations provided support 
and connections to the herbal community, and a few corporate sponsors 
covered some of the expenses.

"This day is about celebrating the value of herbs today and honoring the 
long traditions of their use in healing in many cultures. We are pleased 
to have played a role in making this happen and we are confident HerbDay 
will continue long into the future," said Wayne Silverman, PhD, chief 
administrative officer of the American Botanical Council.

"Because of HerbDay, many will discover the resources in their own 
communities, including herbalists and other experts who can help in making 
good choices to improve and maintain their health. Many herbalists have 
volunteered as teachers in support of HerbDay, in the spirit of sharing 
their knowledge," said Aviva Romm, president of the American Herbalists 
Guild.

"Botanicals have been in use for thousands of years, and modern science is 
catching up with what the peoples of the world have known: that herbs work 
when selected and taken properly. HerbDay is a way of sharing that 
knowledge," said Roy Upton, executive director of the American Herbal 
Pharmacopoeia.

"Herbs are an important health option for many people in America as well 
as around the world. Whether a simple tea or a sophisticated extract, 
these products continue a long tradition of self-care, and HerbDay is a 
celebration of the value of botanicals," said Michael McGuffin, president 
of the American Herbal Products Association.

"Human lives are intertwined with botanicals, for the things we need and 
the things we enjoy. It is too easy to overlook and take for granted the 
plants that provide us with so many benefits. We must protect them if 
they're going to continue to benefit us, and many HerbDay events address 
this issue," said Lynda LeMole, president of United Plant Savers.

More information about HerbDay activities and resources, and event 
registration forms are available at: http://www.herbday.org 
<http://www.herbday.org/> .

###

Editors, note: the HerbDay logo is available upon request to Karen Robin 
(contact info below). Formats are suitable for print and online use. Also, 
check the online HerbDay events listing to see what's happening in your 
community: http://www.herbday.org/HerbDayEvents/tabid/72/Default.aspx

Media Contact:
Karen Robin, American Herbal Products Association
Silver Spring, MD
301-588-1171, x107
info at herbday.org


Lynda E. LeMole
Executive Director
United Plant Savers
www.unitedplantsavers.org
phone: 707-824-0731
fax: 707-824-0279
email: lynda at unitedplantsavers.org