Grow a deeper connection to your local landscape and discover how native plants nourish wellness and biodiversity.

From the texture of leaves to the scent of crushed herbs and the warmth of brewed tea, this hands-on workshop invites you to connect with native plants through your senses and their stories.

Led by Oxbow Native Plant Nursery Manager Lea Dyga, you’ll learn how to identify, grow, harvest, and use over 10 native plants with nourishing and healing properties. You’ll gain practical skills to incorporate these plants into your daily life and garden, sample a variety of edible herbs, and craft a custom tea blend. At the end of the class, you’ll take home your own planted container filled with edible and medicinal native species from Oxbow’s nursery.

You’ll Experience:

• Healing Plant Wisdom: Learn to identify, harvest, and care for over 10 native species with deep flavor, wellness, and cultural significance—building confidence in your connection to local plants.
• Hands-On Gardening: Feel the joy of planting and designing your own 5-gallon “tea garden” using native plants from Oxbow’s nursery.
• Taste & Sensory Connection: Awaken a sense of wonder and personal connection through sampling wild herbs and teas as you explore their nourishing properties.
• Ecological Gardening Practices: Discover how native gardening nurtures not only your health, but pollinators, soil life, and the greater web of life—offering you a role in ecological renewal.

About Your Facilitator:

Lea Dyga (they/them) is an ecologist, environmental educator, and community organizer originally from West Michigan. They hold a Bachelors of Environmental Plant Biology from Michigan State University. Since moving to Seattle in 2022, they’ve enjoyed making friends with the local flora and fungi through their AmeriCorps service at the Center for Urban Horticulture, by assisting the Seattle Lichen’s Guild, and by leading adult education classes with the UW Botanic Gardens. Lea brought their passion for native plants to Oxbow in 2024 and now manages the nursery with care and vision as of 2025.

Grant-supported Pricing

We’re excited to offer this workshop at just $5, thanks to generous funding from 4Culture’s Doors Open grant! This experience is valued at $50, but the grant helps us make it accessible to more of our community.

We’re deeply grateful for this support, which allows us to connect more people with outdoor learning experiences.

All participants must register in advance—spaces are limited!