Columbines School of Botanical Studies

Columbines School

News & Events:

We are now accepting applications for the 2025 First Year Apprenticeship Program.
Course Descriptions
Interview Request Form

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KEYNOTE: New Herbal Uses in the 21st Century Howie Brounstein

Educational Resources:

Apprenticeship:

General Info:

Our Instructors and Staff:

Howie Brounstein has taught botany, herbalism, and wildcrafting extensively for decades, including at such herbal establishments as the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. He is the co-owner and a primary instructor of the Columbines School of Botanical Studies and has a clinical practice in Eugene, Oregon. He is well known for his brilliant in depth teaching style and his passionate love of plants.

Leah Kays Leah is a 2006 graduate of Columbines School of Botanical Studies and has been involved with the school since. She is an herbalist, botanist, and bartender from Portland, Oregon who has moved from a substitute teacher to a full time Columbines instructor.

First Year Apprenticeship Program

What Equipment Will You Need for Field Work?

Flora of the Pacific Northwest by Hitchcock and Cronquist, University of Washington Press. Be sure to buy the new Second Edition.
Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Michael Moore, Museum of New Mexico Press. We will use the new 2003 revised edition.
The tuition includes a copy of the Class Workbook, handouts, and notes for the Apprenticeship. We will also provide a complete botanical identification kit, consisting of a hand-lens (loupe) or magnifying lens, a sharp razor knife, a dissecting tool, a metric ruler, and more.
Daypack
You will need a cutting board, pruning shears (clippers), sharp knife, vegetable brush, and other harvesting and processing supplies during this term.
Foul weather gear: This is exceptionally important, and includes rain coat, rain pants, rain hat, change of shoes, and waterproof boots for walking in mud and standing in 6″ of water.
Camping gear: We will be car camping, so bring all the camping gear necessary for your comfort.

Extra Expenses

You will be making a variety of herbal preparations, so be prepared to buy gallons of alcohol, a gallon and a half of olive oil, and a few cases of wide mouth mason jars (1/2 pints, pints, and perhaps a few quart jars).
Carpooling expenses