Woodslore, Weeds, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk w/ Doug Elliott
May 9 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
About the Workshop: Woodslore, Weeds, and Wildwoods Wisdom Walk w/ Doug Elliott
Much more than a plant walk, this is an opportunity to peek into the life of beloved elder and naturalist Doug Elliott. For the first time in Firefly herstory, we will walk with Doug at his home, on the land he and his lovely wife Yanna have tended for more than 30 years.
Doug and Yanna chose their little slice of heaven because it had everything they wanted:
- Diversity: located 40 miles from cotton fields in the Piedmont and 40 miles from the tallest peaks of Appalachia, their farm sits in the intersection of these ecotones, offering a wide range of habitat for plant and animal life.
- Features: When Doug and Yanna found it, this little slice of heaven had a shack, flats for gardening, a creek and pond for swimming – even a waterfall! Everything young Doug & Yanna needed to build their dreams upon.
Now, more than 30 years later, we can see the fruits of their labor and witness what living your dreams looks like. We will wander their beautiful landscape, learning about plants and animals as we go. Doug says, “Nature will surprise us and we can’t plan who will show up, but it will be exciting! You never know what we’ll find out there!”
This workshop is a special opportunity to be inspired by an Appalachian folk hero who has followed his heart’s path all of his life. On this ramble, participants will:
- Learn to recognize and identify fascinating wild plants and their practical uses.
- Encounter birds, insects, and critters, hearing their stories through local cultural and scientific lore.
- Laugh out loud with lively harmonica tunes, regional dialects and tales stranger than fiction. You might even get to hear about Doug’s favorite animal (o’ possum) and maybe even about the time he got swallowed by a SNAKE!
- Gain unique insights from Doug’s decades of experience as a naturalist.
- Be inspired by a fully mature farmstead; it is truly a unique experience to witness the fruits of decades of love and labor.
So join us for this wonderful wander and come and honor and celebrate our beloved Doug Elliott, a man who has truly dedicated his life to opening the eyes and hearts of the people to the wonders of the natural world.
This class will be held outdoors on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm in Union Mills, NC.
This walk is for everyone! The minimum age is 10 with an accompanying adult.
About the Instructor: Doug Elliott
Doug Elliott (he/him) is a naturalist, herbalist, storyteller, basket maker, backcountry guide, philosopher, and harmonica virtuoso. For years, he made his living as a traveling herbalist, gathering and selling herbs, teas, and remedies while immersing himself in the wisdom of traditional country folk and Indigenous communities. Through these experiences, he learned their stories, folklore, and time-honored ways of connecting with the natural world.
Doug’s work has taken him around the globe, performing and presenting at festivals, museums, botanical gardens, nature centers, and schools. He has led ranger training sessions for the National Park Service, guided wilderness adventures across the U.S., and earned the title of harmonica champion at the prestigious Fiddler’s Grove Festival. An accomplished author, Doug has written five books, contributed numerous articles to regional and national publications, and created award-winning albums of stories and songs. His talents have also been featured on PBS-TV, the History Channel, and the National Geographic Channel.
Doug’s dedication to his craft has earned him widespread recognition. The National Storytelling Network inducted him into their Circle of Excellence for his “exceptional commitment and exemplary contribution to the art of storytelling.” The International Herb Association honored him with the Otto Richter Award for his pioneering work with herbs and wild plants, while the National Association for Interpretation bestowed on him the Master Front Line Interpreter Award for his “mastery of interpretive techniques, program development, and creative projects” that celebrate the natural world and humanity’s connection to it.
Equitable Pricing Model $25 – $65
* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events, so you only need to do it once!
In order to make our workshops more accessible, we offer two price options for each class, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout.
- Sponsor Price $65: For those who have enough to share, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.
- Standard Price $45: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.
- Equity Discount $25: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:
- Indigenous or Native American, Black, Latino/a/x
- Other peoples of the global majority, or racialized communities
- Ethnicities underrepresented in the Southeastern earthskills community
Thank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance, resilience, and opportunity for all.
Which Price Option is Right for You?*
*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events, so you only need to do it once!
Class Price includes all Materials for the Class
Registration closes at 9am on May 9th
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