Earth Day plant meander with Drum

Renowned wildcrafter, seaweed guru and long-time Waldron resident Ryan Drum returns to Orcas for an Earth Day Edible and Medicinal Plant Meander in Eastsound on Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is brought to you by the Orcas Food Co-op.

Starting at the co-op, Drum will lead the class in a meander in and around Eastsound, sampling native and introduced wild plants, discussing their individual nutritional and healing benefits in depth. Utilization and epigenomic factors will be discussed.

New and returning plant enthusiasts welcome—no two Drum classes are alike, and there are unending layers to explore in local flora. Bring drinking water and a light lunch. Dogs are not allowed on the trip.

Drum, PhD has a BSc in Chemical Technology and a PhD in Botany (Phycology) from Iowa State University. While a NATO Scholar, he did postdoctoral studies on Cell Biology using the Electron Microscope and Microcine at the Universities of Bonn, Germany and Leeds, England.

For 10 years he taught Botany and related subjects at Universities (UMASS/Amherst, UCLA, WWU). Drum studied Herbal Medicine with Ella Birzneck, founder of Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia for 12 years, and taught at their summer seminars for 35 years. He has been an adjunct faculty at Bastyr University since 1984, and he lectures at major herbal conferences and herbal schools.

Drum is the author of over 30 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, the author of Electron Microscopy of Diatom Cells 1966, Springer Verlag, a 100-Plate Atlas, in print for 20 years, and a contributing author of two chapters in Planting the Future (Gladstar and Hirsch 2001) and a chapter in Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology, M. Friedman 2005.

The proud father of three wonderful children and two fantastic grandchildren, he lives in a rustic little hilltop cabin he built over 40 years ago on a remote island, off the grid, without indoor plumbing or refrigeration.

Drum believes in true patient autonomy: the freedom and right to choose one’s caregivers independent of their official certification.

For more information about the meander or to register for this class, stop by or call the co-op during business hours.

For more information about Drum, his writings and upcoming classes, visit www.ryandrum.com.