08/27/2026
🌿'Wisdom and Science in Action: Indigenous Pathways to Restoration', a special pre-conference masterclass with Kelly Ablard, Marc Williams, and our Indigenous Peruvian colleague (to be announced soon!).
September 23, 2026, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC
AIA 2026 Aromatics in Action Conference
Rooted in History * Vision for the Future
⭐️This masterclass is open to everyone; AIA Conference attendees AND non-attendees alike!
🌿About the Masterclass
This masterclass brings together Nature's aromatherapy, herbalism, biology and ecology, in an immersive place-based exploration of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) through the lens of Indigenous stewardship, traditional ecological knowledge, and biocultural sustainability.
Rooted in cultural landscape and ecoregion of Kanuga's natural setting, foundational concepts of biosemiotics, reciprocity, and the role of MAPs as conduits, teachers, protectors and healers will be explored. A video presentation shares an Indigenous Amazonian voice corroborating these themes while imparting sustainability challenges tied to culturally significant MAPs.
Participants will explore local MAP samples and germane interactive databases, and gain an understanding of the benefits of analogs within the framework of geography, energetics, and plant: families, chemistry, parts, fragrance, and therapeutics. Woven throughout are sustainable harvesting practices, discussions of sourcing ethics, and a proposed shift in how one can set intentions that protect MAPs and their habitats, and enhance spiritual practice.
Students will go on an eco-aromatic journey through a local honey and mead tasting while exploring pollinator relationships and chemical ecology, and taste local botanicals - kudzu and serviceberry jam. All will have the option to move barefoot on soil, recognizing it as a living ecosystem, and one of Mother Earth's greatest allies, with evidenced benefits for human well-being. A comprehensive, guided medicinal plant walk draws on deep local knowledge to explore the surrounding aromatic landscape, followed by a reflection circle in the spirit of gratitude.
🌿Meet Your Instructors
✨Marc Williams is an ethnobiologist who has taught hundreds of classes to thousands of people about plants, humans, other life forms and their interfaces. His training includes a B.A. in Environmental Studies/Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College with a minor in Business and a M.A. in Appalachian Studies/Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University with a minor in Planning/Geography. He has over 30 years of experiences working at various restaurants, farms, and travels throughout 31 countries in Central/North/South America, Europe and all 50 states in the USA. More information can be found at www.botanyeveryday.com and www.plantsandhealers.org
✨Kelly Ablard, PhD, is a biologist and conservationist, certified aromatherapist, and Founder and CEO of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Airmid Institute, leading global sustainability and stewardship initiatives for medicinal and aromatic plants and their use in traditional medicine. Her research explores the evidence-based use of medicinal plants, chemical ecology, and the intersection of Indigenous biocultural knowledge systems with contemporary conservation science. An international speaker, published researcher, and co-author of the children's book No Place for Plants, Kelly's work with Airmid Institute has earned her the Simon Fraser University Outstanding Alumni Award and the AIA Outstanding Achievement Award. www.airmidinstitute.org
Everyone is welcome! Again, you don't need to attend the AIA Conference (although I recommend you do!) to register for this pre-conference masterclass.
We hope to see you in North Carolina! Register today!
https://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/event-6809502
Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA)
