HWB Green Wisdom Chapter (Wisconsin)

HWB is hosting a series of HWB Chapter Features so you can get to know a little bit more about HWB Chapters and their Coordinators as well as find out what Chapters do, and how they are working in their communities.

HWB Green Wisdom Chapter Coordinator:

Gigi Stafne, Coordinator for 12 years

Photo of woman using scissors to cut herbs

Tell us a bit about yourself and herbalism in your life:

Herbalism has been a long time calling for most of us involved in Herbalists Without Borders and Green Wisdom School of Natural and Botanical Medicine. A passion for plants, people, and this precious planet! Sit knee-to-knee with me sometime and I will share the adventurous storylines.

Tell us about your Chapter:

Our Herbalists Without Borders Chapter has quarterly meetings. These are often teleconference formats since we cover a large region in the Upper Midwest and Lake Superior region. In the earlier years, they were most often in-person meetings. On average there are 7-13 people attending a meeting and volunteering at our HWB Free Peoples Clinics.

Group of trauma trainees from the Chapter's event

What type of activities does your Chapter do:

The main focus of our chapter's work has been on the affordability and accessibility of health and wellness care for all people during the past years. We have made this happen via Free Peoples Clinics, mobile clinics, street medic work, and international aid, volunteering in some poverty-stricken rural Upper Midwest regions to Cuba health care delegations.

Our chapter is portable, and mobile and knows how to respond to emergencies from natural disasters to environmental disasters. The most recent being a response to a refinery explosion and free herbalism aid to those in need in the Twin Ports region of Lake Superior.

Other HWB Chapter activities have included writing eGuides for Herbalists Without Borders, hosting concerts, speaking engagements, plant sales, plant identification walks, kayaking for the cause, and much more. Each event and project has been a volunteer labor of love, but well worth it!

Have you had a Chapter event where you raised donations or supplies for disaster relief?

Yes, we have. Students of Green Wisdom School of Natural and Botanical Medicine (our HWB Chapter) always pitch in when herbal aid is needed. The most recent being supplies needed for short and long-term care for those affected by refinery fires in Superior, Wisconsin, and the South Shore region of Lake Superior.

Our chapter also responds to international needs preparing herbal donations and first aid supplies--from earthquakes in Nepal to health needs in Cuba. Last year, we even hosted an herbal cocktail party!

Table display with information and herbal resources

Clinic volunteer showing off the entry sign

Two volunteers in a tropical location

Boutique & Botanicals event flyer form May 20, 2018