As well as allowing us to differentiate between useful and poisonous plants since prehistory, botany can be used as a powerful therapeutic and learning tool. This course will introduce you to craft techniques that work equally well in school grounds, nature reserves, gardening projects and therapeutic settings, including hedgerow weaving, dyeing with 'weeds', soil pigment painting and wild food. You will learn how to run craft sessions, how to use the crafts to teach your audience plant identification and other learning methods.

By the end of the event you will -

• Be able to identify a variety of common plants that are suitable for craft projects
• Have an overview of the collection, preparation and storage of these plants and related materials
• Have practical experience of a variety of different craft projects to use with your own clients or groups
• Be confident in planning and organising craft sessions and maximising learning and therapeutic outcomes

Location: Totnes, Devon

Times: 9.30am - 4.30pm

Event Leader - Bethan Stagg
Since 2000 Bethan has lead workshops in plant crafts for a variety of audiences, including Wildlife Trusts, BTCV, special needs groups, local authorities, National Trust properties, schools and city farms. Bethan is also a Community Scientist for Open Air Laboratories, a national project teaching people about monitoring their local environments, where she runs botanical field trips for community groups, schools and colleges. She incorporates her plant crafts into her teaching, as a way of making botany more accessible and fun for all ages and abilities. She is currently working with Schumacher College teaching students about edible perennials.