Any opportunity to celebrate plants and the role they have played and continue to play in human experience is a worthwhile endeavor. To that end, and building on two successful annual HerbDays, the HerbDay Coalition has announced that HerbDay 2008 will be celebrated on Saturday, October 11, and the weeks surrounding that date. Health food stores, herb societies, botanical gardens, schools and garden stores are encouraged to host events such as herb walks, plant lectures, herb demonstrations, and book signings. The HerbDay Web site (www.herbday.org) includes ideas for possible events.

The American Botanical Council will be hosting an HerbDay event at its headquarters in Austin, Texas. The schedule includes lectures on current issues and methodologies in herbal medicine, demonstrations on making herbal medicines, and interesting and tasty foods. Local herbalists will lead plant walks through ABC’s themed medicinal gardens. There will be a variety of local vendors and practitioners providing herbal products, herb crafts, massage therapy, and more. Food and refreshments will be provided by local sponsors. More information on this event and opportunities for participation are available from Jessica Guffey at 512-926-4900

HerbDay is a grassroots event, and anyone with an interest in ext. 112 or Jessica@herbalgram.org. promoting the use of plants in everyday life is invited to become The HerbDay Coalition consists of 5 nonprofit organizations: involved. Corporate sponsors are needed to support the efforts American Botanical Council (ABC), American Herbalists Guild of the coalition; media sponsors are needed to help promote the (AHG), American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), American mission; and partnering organizations are needed to ensure that Herbal Products Association (AHPA), and United Plant Savers there are numerous events around the country. Information on (UpS). how an organization or company can participate is available from Gayle Engels at 503-746-5867 or Gayle@herbalgram.org.

—Gayle Engels and Jessica Guffey