Welcome to the Plants and Healers Website, in memory of Frank Cook.

A Green Path Pilgrimage-

Announcing An Early Autumn Walk Along the Sierra Section of the California Green Path Pilgrimage.

Nevada City to Lake Tahoe.

September 10^th to whatever day it is when we dunk our bodies into that sweet blue lake!

Well, the snow eventually melted up in the high Sierras, opening the passes up for foot travel, so the pilgrims have picked up their staffs yet again, they are lacing up boots, and planning for an adventurous walk East, to Lake Tahoe.

The California/Nevada border is about 60 miles from Nevada City if one follows the hiking trails that go along the Yuba River, and climbs through the cracks and crevices up to Donner Pass, and down through high meadows into the Tahoe Basin. The plan is to walk as a small hiking party, spending time learning about the history, geology, and botany of the Sierras and remebering our inspiration, Frank Cook, all the while, planning, exploring and mapping the last stretch of a 300 plus mile walk that connects the Mendocino Coast, with the eastern border.

Whether you are available for a five-day, three-day, or even just a nice day hike, please contact Turtle at turtle343@gmail.com. Campsites are being chosen to use as a resting point in which families and enthusiasts from the Nevada City/Grass Valley area can meet up with the hikers for focused skill shares and learning circles focused on botany, wilderness survival, and other “green path” related subjects (maybe we’ll even make a mead!). This is tentatively being scheduled for the weekend of September 16^th-18^th. We would love to have people participating on many different levels, so grab your shoes or your camera, and come on out!

In August of 2009, Frank Cook, Botanical Explorer, Greenman, and teacher to thousands on simple living and connecting to nature, passed away unexpectedly. Many of us who love Frank dearly and still believe in the power of his work are continuing to keep his website and visions alive and growing. Shortly after Frank’s death, a non-profit organization was formed called Plants and Healers International. It is our hope that we will be able to carry this remarkable man’s life work on into the future through the interests and passions of those walking the Green Path. This is a work in progress, run by volunteers, and we welcome your input and ask for your patience as it comes together over time.

For over fifteen years, Cook’s passion for being a repository of plant knowledge grew steadily. He studied with Herbalists, Shamen, Vaidyas, Sangomas, Green Witches, Doctors, Professors, and Medicine Men and Women around the world. They initiated him into many ways of understanding plants. During that time, Frank led hundreds of workshops, taught at schools and in homes, gardens and the woods, spoke at conferences and held a prominent role at gatherings of all types around the world.

As an extensive traveler Frank developed a deep-rooted network of people whose lives are consciously intermingled with plants, healing, and ways to create a better world. He was gifted at making a wide range of foods and medicines, which he shared with his family, friends and community. Frank led a simple life communicating, teaching, reflecting, and spending a lot of time in the forests and gardens delving deeper into the mysteries of the plant kindom and our place in the web of life. He firmly believed that we are in the midst of great changes on the planet and that it is our awareness and daily choices that will determine what quality of a future we have as people of one interconnected world.