Through the knowledge shared from Elder Marika Alvarado, Of the Earth Institute of Indigenous Cultures and Teachings works to empower people to grow medicinal plants and herbs that can be used in their homes and in the community to help with health and wellness. We are trying to restore native medicinal plants that have been lost due to environmental issues as well as the overdevelopment and commercialization of our land.
Through this initiative, we successfully engaged and educated our community on the identification, cultivation, and practical use of medicinal plants, with a focus on supporting family health and well-being. Participants gained valuable knowledge about traditional and accessible herbal remedies, empowering them to make informed decisions about natural health care.
Importantly, we also addressed barriers to access by providing the necessary tools and resources, such as containers, soils, seeds, and starter plants, to individuals and families who do not have access to land or personal garden space. In total, we distributed 400 planters, along with a variety of plants and seeds, to ensure our community members, regardless of their living situation, had the opportunity to grow and benefit from medicinal plants at home.