ABOUT
Hi! I'm April
A Botanist, Ethnobotanist, and Herbalist, dedicated to teaching you the healing world of plants! I know once you learn the wild herbs in your environment, you will protect them and they will protect you!
I am often asked,
"How did you get started on this path?"
HORTICULTURE IN HIGH SCHOOL
My practice with herbs started in high school in horticulture, where I made herbal soaps, shampoos, teas, and lotions. Once I discovered my passion, thanks to my teacher Mrs. Betsy Spears, I transitioned from being an at-risk youth barely passing my sophomore year of high school to becoming the President of the Future Farmers of America, Norfolk Chapter. See that woman in the lower left corner, that's Mrs. Betsy Spears, now my guardian angel in heaven.
OFF TO COLLEGE, BACHELOR & MASTER OF SCIENCE WITH AN EMPHASIS IN BOTANY
Thanks to my Mom's encouragement, I earned a Bachelor and Master of Science with an emphasis in Botany. As a single Mother in America, raising three children, my Mom made sure I went to college. She taught me that all children need to thrive is love! She is my guardian angel on earth!
PLANT CONSERVATION & BOTANY WORK IN THE EASTERN US
My first “real” job as an adult was a Botanist position for the Nantahala National Forest. I LOVED that job! After that, I transitioned to a Botanist position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I helped protect federally endangered plants along the Eastern Seaboard and Central United States. I had to witness daily the devastating effects of consumerism and the growing disconnection between people and plants. I realized that to protect wild plants, people needed to know how valuable they were. The only reason people weren’t connecting with wild plants for food and medicine was because they didn’t know them. I am a strong believer and have seen firsthand that people will protect what they know and understand.
AFTER A 25+ YEAR PLANT JOURNEY, IT WAS TIME TO TEACH!
So, with help from the seen and unseen, I founded Wild Herb Academy. I kept receiving a nudge from spirit to teach and thankfully, I listened. Thank you for the support and allowing me to show up authentically.
MY HEART!
Spirit also nudged me to reconnect with my old prom date, Vasily Punsalan, from High School, 11 years after graduating. Life has never been the same. Blessed Love! From that blessed love, came my creative, imaginative, funny, and loving daughter Annarose. We extend our love to you!
