The next scheduled meeting of the Highland Lakes Native Plant Society is Saturday, May 18, from 1-3 p.m at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main Street.
An educational presentation will follow a 30 minute chapter business meeting. Amber Joy Herndon will be presenting on Bioregional Herbalism, a focus on plants native and adapted to Central Texas.
Key presentation points:
To provide an overview of Herbalism’s relevance in modern life, covering ways to make plant medicines, proper wildcrafting techniques, and the ethical principles upheld by Herbalists, when harvesting wild plants. Furthermore, she will explore medicinal potential of specific local plants, and their practical uses.
Bio:
Amber Joy Herndon’s teenage years were rooted in the Marble Falls area, with frequent visits to a fourth-generation ranch in Llano, where her love and appreciation of nature began. She is currently residing in Spicewood, and is a dedicated Herbalist. This journey began six years ago by independently studying Herbalism before furthering her education at Sacred Journey School of Herbalism in 2019. Her passion for native plants blossomed during her time at Texas State University in 2014, leading to her attainment of a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and Business in 2016. Alongside her academic pursuits, she delved into the realms of Beekeeping, Sustainable Agriculture, and Nature Therapies, recognizing their profound impact on mental and physical well-being.
She and her husband established a small business in 2018, Happy Hollow’s Native Foods and Apothecary, initially offering jams crafted from wild fruit including, Prickly Pear, Texas Persimmons, Mustang Grapes, Chili Pequin, Agarita, Mesquite Beans, and DewBerries, selling at local Farmers Markets. After 4 years of Farmers Markets, Amber decided to transition from full time product creation with her husband, to solely sharing her expertise through educational workshops, one-on-one health consultations, and guided plant walks, highlighting the medicinal properties of both native and transplanted flora. She changed her business to Happy Hollow’s Herbal Care.
In October of 2023, Amber was recommended by her Herbalism Teacher, and owner of Texas Medicinals for 24 years, Ginger Webb, to assist the new owner, Nicole Al Rashid, in Spicewood. Amber’s current positions there include: medicine maker, wild plant crafter, social media creator, teacher and more. In her role, she continues to deepen her connection to plant medicine, while upholding the importance of sustainable practices, and environmental stewardship.