HANS JOINS UNITED PLANT SAVERS
In the spring of 2005 the HANS board to join United Plant Savers (UPS) as a group. A portion of your HANS membership will go towards some of the work of UPS. For more information and to become a full member of United Plant Savers please go to: www.unitedplantsavers.org
As a full UPS member, you get a biannual journal that is full of information and very inspirational, biannual bulletins, discounts for herbal events, and plants or seeds in the biennial plant give away program, and an opportunity to participate in the botanical sanctuary program.
UPS At Risk forum....Statement of Purpose
For the benefit of the plant communities, wild animals, harvesters, farmers, consumers, manufacturers, retailers and practitioners, we offer this list of wild medicinal plants which we feel are currently most sensitive to the impact of human activities. Our intent is to assure the increasing abundance of the medicinal plants which are presently in decline due to expanding popularity and shrinking habitat and range. UPS is not asking for a moratorium on the use of these herbs. Rather, we are initiating programs designed to preserve these important wild medicinal plants. To see the full list of "At Risk" plants and "To Watch" plants please go to the United Plant Savers website.
Two exciting programs in place with United Plant Savers is the "Partners in Education" and "Botanical Sanctuary Network"
Botanical Sanctuary Network
United Plant Savers' vision is to see UPS Botanical Sanctuaries established in people's backyards, farms and woodlands, creating a living greenway of native medicinal plants across the landscape of North America. A sanctuary isn't defined by size or magnitude, but as scared space, a place where one can find protection and the peace and renewal of nature. Nor is sanctuary necessarily designated or defined by government agencies or large or organizations, though often we think of it as such. We can all create sanctuary on the land we care-take. As our Sanctuary Members are demonstrating, Botanical Sanctuaries can be created in small backyards as well as on large plots of wilderness, in towns as well as in the country. As you well know, it takes an attitude, willingness, and a desire to transform the way we value land, our assumptions about land use, and the way we design our gardens and farms. If we want to preserve wilderness to actively participate in the preservation and restoration effort, and as good a place to start as any is in our backyards. And that is what you're doing. That is what the Sanctuary Network program is all about.
Partners in Education-One Seed at a Time
Join United Plant Savers in creating a greener, healthier world through education about the conservation of our native medicinal plants. We offer a special student membership fee of $20 per student for all herbal schools, apprentice programs and training courses that enrol their students as a group. Each student receives a UPS membership package with all the benefits-informative journals and bulletins, Nursery Bulk Herb Directory, free plant/seed Give-away twice a year, membership discounts at UPS conferences and more. When your school/program joins Partners in Education they will receive the UPS Educational Presentation Guide, a copy of the UPS book "Planting the Future", use of the UPS slide show and Video, a listing in both the UPS Journal and on our website, guidance from experienced educator and the opportunity to make a difference-One Seed at a Time.
(Thanks to Cheendana for spearheading this partnership with United Plant Savers. Cheendana says that her only regret is that the Nursery and Bulk Herb Directory lists on the UPS website only American sources, but hopefully with more Canadians joining we can send along our Canadian sources of nurseries and bulk herb business's that stand in the Principles of United Plant Savers)